Jack Schlossberg, a congressional hopeful from Manhattan, is increasingly drawing on the legacy of his late grandfather, former President John F. Kennedy, to bolster his campaign fundraising efforts. As he vies for a seat in Congress representing New York’s 12th District, Schlossberg is keen to channel the spirit and ideals of JFK.
“Recently, I’ve been reflecting on my grandfather, President John F. Kennedy, and his legacy of hope,” Schlossberg, 33, shared in a fundraising appeal sent on March 5. “In my run for Congress to represent NY-12, and in my personal life, that’s what I aim to focus on: hope.”
He introduces himself with a nod to his heritage, saying, “My name is Jack, or John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg if you want the full name,” paying homage to his late grandmother, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, by including her surname.
Schlossberg is one of several candidates eyeing the Democratic nomination in the June primary to succeed Rep. Jerrold Nadler in the 12th House District, which spans Manhattan’s East and West sides.
In another fundraising message sent on March 4, Schlossberg stated, “Jack Schlossberg here — candidate for Congress in NY-12.” He went on to express concern over former President Donald Trump’s announcement that he intends to rename the Kennedy Center after himself, saying, “This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to erase my grandfather President Kennedy’s legacy, and it won’t be the last.”
“Donald Trump just announced he’s going to rename the Kennedy Center after HIMSELF…This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to erase my grandfather President Kennedy’s legacy, and it won’t be the last.”
On March 2, Schlossberg added in an appeal for campaign dollars, “In high school, I spent hours watching my grandfather’s speeches.
“He taught us all that politics isn’t about serving yourself — it’s about serving others. When we fight for hope, we’re not just doing it for ourselves, we’re doing it for each other and the future we all have to share.
“I know I have big shoes to fill. In my grandfather’s memory, I’ve led a life of caring about this a lot. I put that care and effort and hope into everything I do. But this is bigger than me. It’s bigger than my family’s legacy,” said Schlossberg, whose mother is John and Jackie’s daughter Caroline.
Several other of his fundraising solicitations were nearly identical, too.
Schlossberg had already mentioned JFK in his first official campaign fundraiser announcing his candidacy.
“I’m running to represent NY-12 in Congress! This is the district where I was born and raised, and the place that five generations of my family have called home,” Schlossberg said Nov. 17.
“I’m Jack Schlossberg, and my grandfather, President Kennedy, is my hero.”
The former president was assassinated Nov. 22, 1963.
“This will forever be known as the dead grandpa campaign. It’s outrageous,” said veteran political strategist Hank Sheinkopf.
“You have to be 80 years to remember JFK. It’s not a growing demographic group.”
But Schlossberg said he connects with voters when he mentions his grandpa, JFK, because everyone loves their grandparents.
“I have two grandfathers — one was president of the United States and the other was president of his temple on the uptown,” Jack said, the latter being Alfred Schlossberg, his father’s father.
“The generations who built NYC and the USA deserve to be acknowledged,” Schlossberg said.
“I love asking people about their grandparents. That’s when they light up.”
