Jack Schlossberg, an American political commentator and writer, has entered the race for New York’s 12th Congressional District. The grandson of former President John F. Kennedy says his campaign outlines a set of guiding principles including service, courage, independence and unity, which shape his approach to representation.
In an interview with The Ticker, Schlossberg discussed how those values inform his views on leadership, public safety, democratic governance and representing a district known to be politically and culturally diverse.
When asked about recent changes to the White House Rose Garden under the Trump administration, Schlossberg described public spaces as those that should reflect history rather than erase it.
“I don’t think all changes are bad,” Schlossberg said. “My grandmother did redesign the White House and invite people in; the only difference is she did that really as a scholar and as an academic and student of history.”
He contrasted that approach with what he characterized as the use of national landmarks for political messaging.
“The use of propaganda in 2025 and 2026 is unprecedented; we’ve never seen anything like it before. And the way that they are using our national monuments, figures from our history and whitewashing our past and trying to pave over the icons of it and what they stood for, it’s really not about educating people.”
He described the practice as an “awful and very very dangerous thing to do.”
When asked separately about what a successful implementation of his plan would look like if elected, he told The Ticker that antisemitism remains a significant concern both nationally and within NY-12, which he described as being “a safe haven for Jews for centuries.”
In a recent CBS News interview with Marcia Kramer on The Point, Schlossberg spoke about how awful it felt to see a synagogue targeted in a violent antisemitic protest.
Schlossberg said a successful first year in office would include the “Jack-Fast-Track” plan, which includes expanded funding for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program and for public safety measures around houses of worship.
Schlossberg also pointed to his family’s history and personal upbringing as central to his connection to the Jewish community, saying that combating antisemitism would be a priority if elected.
“A lot of people know about one of my grandfathers who served as president, but another grandfather of mine was president of his temple, Park East, which is now Park East Synagogue. And so, the Jewish tradition and being part of a Jewish community is something that means a lot to me and a lot to my upbringing,” he added.
At the 2025 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Ceremony, Schlossberg presented the award to former Vice President Mike Pence following his actions on Jan. 6, 2021.
In his speech, he acknowledged their political differences saying, “Vice President Pence and I are from different sides of the aisle and we disagree on a lot, but that is what makes tonight so powerful, because before we are partisans, we are patriots.”
When asked how he applies the idea of “patriots before partisans” to such a diverse district, Schlossberg emphasized that NY-12, often labeled a “safe seat,” plays a critical national role.
Citing New York City’s history of shaping progressive movements, Schlossberg said districts like NY-12 have long served as incubators for national leadership.
Schlossberg also discussed NYC’s cultural identity — a theme he returned to when considering the arts and their role in shaping the district. He pointed to the city’s museums as a constant source of inspiration and referred to them as the “amazing treasures” New Yorkers have access to every day.
When it comes to music, Schlossberg named Frank Sinatra’s “Theme From New York, New York,” calling it one of the greatest songs of all time and saying it “still gets me absolutely fired up, and I think that we just need more of that song playing all around the city.”
He also spoke about his admiration for dance, particularly ballet, which he described as both “a form of art and also political resistance,” which is “incredibly powerful” to him. He framed ballet as a significant cultural asset, one that holds deep personal meaning for him and his family.
Across discussions of public safety, democratic institutions and the arts, Schlossberg returned to the idea that restoring public faith requires people to “believe again,” framing his campaign as one focused on rebuilding trust in democratic institutions.
“In this year, which is our 250th anniversary [of] the birth of our country, it’s really important that we remember how we got here and how we became the strongest, most powerful country on earth, and that’s through a collective effort and a belief that America could do great things when we all try together.”
