Manhattan, USA – After a campaign marked by extraordinary circumstances of personal pain and organizational turmoil, Jack Schlossberg, grandson of the late President John F. Kennedy, failed to win a seat in the US Congress. This loss marked the first political setback of his career.
A year of pain and challenge
The past year has been a difficult one for Schlossberg, 33. Six months after the death of his sister, Tatiana Schlossberg, at the age of 35, he faced a tough electoral challenge in New York.
He ran in the Democratic primary for Manhattan’s 12th District, competing against eight other candidates. He finished third with 10.8% of the vote, far behind the Democratic winner, Micah Lacher.
The campaign was more than just a bid for a parliamentary seat; for Schlossberg, it was an attempt to honor his sister’s memory. In previous statements, he revealed that his late sister had encouraged him to run before her death, saying, “Her last words were: ‘You’d better win.’ She was my soulmate, and I’m fighting for her; she’s with me every day.”
Administrative chaos and lack of experience
Despite his family name, which was supposed to give him an advantage, Schlossberg’s campaign—running as an independent—was chaotic. The American press highlighted his outbursts of anger and provocative Instagram posts. Furthermore, they pointed to the weak structure of his campaign and the high turnover of his staff, reflecting a lack of political experience that prevented him from achieving any real breakthrough.
Differing opinions on the future of the “heir”
On the night the results were announced, his mother, Caroline Kennedy, was quick to soften the blow of defeat, praising his enthusiasm and eloquence. “I think he did a wonderful job,” she said in statements to the New York Times, stressing that he was motivated by his deep concern about the current situation.
On the other hand, political experts analyzed the scene differently. Democratic consultant Hank Shenkopf noted that “he is seen as an entertaining person but not necessarily serious.” While Chris Coffey saw that the absence of a real fan base was the biggest obstacle to his current ambition. The setback adds a new chapter of challenges to the Kennedy family, which has recently faced radical shifts in its political orientations. Especially with the controversial positions of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
