Jack Schlossberg Finishes Third in Manhattan Democratic Primary
In a race that drew national attention, the Democratic primary for New York's 12th congressional district—covering Manhattan's Upper East and Upper West sides—concluded on June 23, 2026 with a decisive victory for state Assemblyman Micah Lasher. Lasher, endorsed by Governor Kathy Hochul, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a slate of local Democratic leaders, secured 39% of the vote, comfortably beating fellow Assemblyman Alex Bores, who earned 35% on a platform emphasizing AI regulation and tech‑industry accountability.
Former White House counter‑terrorism official and Army veteran
Cait Conley, the third‑place finisher and the only one with a Republican opponent, received 10.8% of the vote. Among the eight other candidates was Jack Schlossberg, the only grandson of the late President John F. Kennedy. Despite a headline‑making family legacy, Schlossberg finished in a distant third, garnering just over 10% of the total ballots counted. The Associated Press called the race at 10:30 p.m. ET after more than 82% of votes were tallied, confirming Lasher’s win and Schlossberg’s elimination.
Schlossberg’s campaign leaned heavily on his famous surname and a polished social‑media strategy. He launched his bid in November 2025, promising a fresh perspective and citing the Kennedy tradition of public service. High‑profile endorsements poured in: former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, his mother Caroline Kennedy, entertainment figures such as Lorne Michaels and musician Paul Simon, and former Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared on his campaign filings. Yet, media reports highlighted several challenges. The New York Times noted a high turnover among staff, an alleged incident where Schlossberg announced he was “going home to take a nap” on the campaign’s first day, and concerns about his limited political résumé—including a brief stint at the State Department and brief private‑sector jobs.
Opponents capitalized on these perceived shortcomings. Lasher, a longtime aide to Rep. Nadler, emphasized his deep ties to the district and legislative experience. Bores, a former Palantir employee turned public‑policy advocate, positioned himself as a defender of AI regulation, drawing significant financial support from tech philanthropists such as OpenAI’s Greg Brockman and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen. Both Lasher and Bores received endorsements from prominent New York politicians, further cementing their local credibility.
Schlossberg’s failure to break the top two illustrates a broader shift in New York politics. Voters in this heavily Democratic district appear to prioritize concrete legislative experience and policy expertise over dynastic appeal. The result also underscores the waning influence of political surnames in an era where campaign financing, tech‑industry backing, and clear policy stances dominate electoral narratives.
The primary’s outcome sets the stage for the November general election, where Lasher is now the presumptive Democratic nominee in what is considered a safe Democratic seat. With the Republican nomination already determined by Anthony Constantino—endorsed by former President Donald Trump—the district is poised for a traditional Democrat‑Republican contest, though Lasher's decisive primary win suggests the district will remain firmly in Democratic hands.
Schlossberg, 33, has indicated he will continue his public‑service efforts, citing his work as a Biden campaign surrogate and his commitment to the Kennedy legacy. He remains a prominent figure in national media, and his future in politics may yet involve other avenues of public engagement beyond elected office.
