Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy, is attracting attention as he kicks off his congressional campaign to succeed retiring Representative Jerry Nadler from New York. But he’s not alone; there are other young progressive candidates looking to represent New York City in the U.S. House.
One such candidate, Cameron Kasky, 25, launched his campaign in New York’s 12th Congressional District recently, adding to a growing list of Democratic primary hopefuls.
Kasky’s entry comes at a time when progressives nationwide, especially in New York City, aim to build on recent Democratic successes — think gubernatorial wins in New Jersey and Virginia and the influence of Zoran Mandani, the city’s newly elected socialist leader.
“New Yorkers are always on the go, pushing boundaries and advancing into the future, yet today’s leaders seem out of touch,” Kasky said in his announcement video, which features quick cuts of Gen Z activists navigating public transport across the city.
In this video, there’s something almost cinematic about Kasky’s energetic style, reminiscent of Mamdani’s own vibrant campaign clips, all set to a lively jazz background.
“I’m Cameron Kasky, and I’m running for Congress because I believe our party lacks a vision for the future, which is why we must invest in new leadership to carry forward our fight,” he stated. Kasky noted that he never imagined entering politics, but after surviving the tragic 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, he found himself involved with the student-led March for Our Lives, advocating for gun control. He reflected on how he came to realize that these attacks stemmed from deeper systemic issues within the American landscape.
His campaign priorities include Medicare for All, ending funding for genocide, and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Both Kasky and Schlossberg are attempting to fill the void left by Rep. Jerry Nadler, a veteran lawmaker, who, at 78, is retiring next year. He’s held office for decades, representing a substantial part of Manhattan.
Just recently, New York City Councilman Chi Ose expressed interest in running against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a nearby district, further highlighting the ongoing discussions within the party about its direction. Yet even Mamdani himself, the new Mayor, has hesitated to support Osse’s move, suggesting that now isn’t the right time to challenge a prominent Democratic figure.
On the other hand, Schlossberg is a figure of some repute in the political world due to his lineage. Yet for many digital-savvy voters in New York, he’s more recognized for his comedic, viral videos, racking up nearly 850,000 followers on TikTok and close to 770,000 on Instagram.
Although he has popular connections, Schlossberg’s background isn’t as deep; he recently appeared as a political correspondent in Vogue during the last presidential campaign.
He and Kasky are by no means the only candidates in a burgeoning Democratic primary. Nonprofit activist Liam Elkind is also in the race, featuring a similar energetic style in his campaign launch video.
Elkind, 26, is focused on “actually fighting Trump” while improving the party and addressing issues like corruption and civil rights.
Others, like Rep. Micah Lasher and Rep. Alex Boas, are also joining the fray. Lasher stated he is running to “revitalize the Democratic Party, oppose Trump’s policies, and ensure tangible improvements for New Yorkers.”
Boas, in his mid-30s, noted, “I’m running because the existing systems are failing everyday people. Together, we can change that.” Bottcher, 46, wants to “preserve the New York City dream and reclaim our country.”
Various challengers are in the mix, including civil rights attorney Laura Dunn and political commentator Jami Floyd, as well as Alan Purdy, a finance professional, and LGBTQ activist Matthew Shulka.
Dunn, 40, claimed he’s “fearlessly running for the people,” while Floyd, who didn’t support Mamdani, has positioned himself as a moderate. Purdy mentioned a desire to create policies improving life for families across the city, with Shulka advocating against both corruption and attacks from Trump, focusing on fighting for New Yorkers.
