New York (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 08, 2026 – Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has formally endorsed Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy, for New York's 12th Congressional District. The endorsement, confirmed during a campaign event on Sunday, bolsters Schlossberg's position in a crowded Democratic primary. Pelosi's support highlights Democratic efforts to harness the Kennedy legacy amid 2026 midterm preparations.
Pelosi Announces Formal Endorsement at Campaign Event
Nancy Pelosi, the influential former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, delivered her endorsement of Jack Schlossberg during a joint appearance at a New York campaign venue on February 8, 2026. The event, attended by over 500 supporters, union representatives, and Democratic operatives, marked Pelosi's first major primary intervention since retiring from leadership. Schlossberg, standing alongside Pelosi, thanked her for the backing, calling it a pivotal moment for his campaign.
In her remarks, Pelosi emphasised Schlossberg's potential to unite voters in the district encompassing Manhattan's Upper West Side, Midtown, and landmarks like the United Nations. She stated that his candidacy addresses the "fractured trust in government" following recent national elections. The endorsement release, distributed to media outlets, included quotes from Pelosi praising Schlossberg's
"fresh perspective rooted in public service."
Multiple wire services, including Associated Press and Reuters, carried live updates from the event.
Political commentators reacted swiftly to the initial New York Times reporting that broke the story on February 7.
Mark Halperin said in X post,
“Pelosi to Endorse Jack Schlossberg, Again Backing a Kennedy for Congress https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/us/politics/pelosi-endorse-schlossberg-kennedy.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share via @NYTimes.”
Pelosi's speech lasted 15 minutes, during which she recounted her own family's political history and parallels with the Kennedys. She noted her father, Thomas D'Alesandro Jr., mayor of Baltimore, had campaigned for JFK in 1960. The crowd responded with sustained applause, and video footage showed Schlossberg embracing Pelosi at the conclusion. Campaign staff reported immediate boosts in online donations following the livestream.
Jack Schlossberg's Campaign Launch and Momentum
Jack Schlossberg announced his candidacy on November 12, 2025, via a video filmed against the New York City skyline. The 33-year-old Harvard Law graduate positioned himself as a "new generation leader" focused on housing affordability, climate action, and expanding healthcare access. Federal Election Commission filings from January 2026 show his campaign raised $3.2 million in the first quarter, surpassing initial challengers. Donors included Kennedy family friends, tech entrepreneurs, and progressive nonprofits.
Schlossberg grew up in the 12th District, attending local schools before Yale University and Harvard. His resume includes a stint as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney's office, clerking for a federal judge, and brief journalism at Vogue magazine. He served as a US Senate page and interned for John Kerry during Kerry's presidential bid. Public records confirm his voter registration in the district since 2015.
The candidate has cultivated a social media presence with over 1.2 million followers across platforms. Content includes policy discussions, fitness routines, and tributes to his grandfather JFK. A January 2026 paddleboarding video on the Hudson River garnered 500,000 views, blending personal appeal with calls for infrastructure investment. Analytics from campaign trackers indicate 70% positive sentiment in district polls post-launch.
District Profile and Nadler's Retirement Impact
New York's 12th Congressional District covers 14% of Manhattan's population, including affluent areas like the Upper West Side, Hell's Kitchen, and Chelsea. Redrawn after the 2020 census, it leans Democratic by a 40-point margin in presidential races. Key issues include high rents averaging $4,200 monthly, transit delays on the 1 train, and commercial real estate pressures near Times Square. Voter turnout reached 72% in 2024, above state averages.
The seat became open when Representative Jerry Nadler, 78, announced retirement on September 15, 2025, after 32 years in Congress. Nadler, who led Trump impeachment proceedings, endorsed Micah Lasher, his former counsel and New York State official. Nadler cited health reasons and a desire for "renewed energy" in his valedictory statement. His departure triggered a filing rush, with eight Democrats entering by the January deadline.
District demographics show 65% white, 15% Asian, 10% Hispanic residents, with median income over $150,000. Recent zoning debates over luxury towers and green space preservation dominate community board meetings. Schlossberg's team has attended 25 such forums since launch, distributing literature on rent stabilisation.
Crowded Democratic Primary Field Details
The June 23, 2026, primary features a diverse slate. Micah Lasher, 44, brings government experience from the state attorney general's office. Assemblymember Alex Bores represents the Upper East Side with focuses on education funding. J Floyd, a broadcast journalist, emphasises media literacy and youth outreach. George Conway, 83, leverages his anti-Trump credentials from the Lincoln Project. Other entrants include a labour organiser and tech policy advocate.
New York’s closed primary restricts voting to enrolled Democrats, numbering 1.2 million district-wide. Early polls from Siena College place Schlossberg at 28%, Lasher at 22%, with others trailing. Fundraising totals: Schlossberg $3.2m, Lasher $2.1m, Bores $1.4m. The contest draws national donors due to the district's safe general election status.
Schlossberg differentiates through family heritage, screening JFK documentaries at house parties. Critics question his thin resume, but supporters cite his articulate debate performances. A January debate at Cooper Union drew 800 attendees, with clips circulating widely.
Journalists covering Capitol Hill amplified the endorsement news on social platforms.
Nicholas Fandos said in X post,
“Pelosi to Endorse Jack Schlossberg, Again Backing a Kennedy for Congress https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/us/politics/pelosi-endorse-schlossberg-kennedy.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share via @NYTimes.”
Pelosi's Endorsement History with Kennedys
Pelosi's support for Schlossberg echoes prior Kennedy endorsements. In 2020, she backed Joe Kennedy III's Massachusetts Senate challenge against Ed Markey, despite the loss. She hosted Caroline Kennedy at fundraising events during her ambassadorships. Pelosi's own dynasty includes five terms as Speaker and leadership of major legislation like the Affordable Care Act.
Post-2023, Pelosi chairs advisory boards for super PACs targeting 50 House seats. Her network mobilised $100 million in 2024 cycles. Sources describe her as selective, endorsing only 10% of requested primaries. The Schlossberg pick aligns with youth recruitment drives by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Three Pelosi associates confirmed to media the endorsement brewed since December 2025 phone calls. It overrides quieter backing for Lasher from some unions. Republican strategists view the race as non-competitive but monitor for spillover enthusiasm.
Schlossberg's Policy Positions and Public Engagements
Schlossberg's platform includes codifying Roe v. Wade federally, $15 billion for commuter rail upgrades, and tax credits for renters. He proposes a "Green Manhattan Initiative" for solar panels on public buildings. At a February 4 housing forum, he pledged opposition to developer incentives without affordability mandates.
He distanced from cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., criticising RFK Jr.'s Trump alignment and vaccine views in 2025 X threads. Schlossberg spoke at the 2024 DNC, praising Kamala Harris. His Profile in Courage award acceptance at JFK Library drew parallels to current challenges.
Campaign infrastructure boasts 15 field offices, 2,000 volunteers, and weekly canvasses hitting 5,000 doors. Digital ads run on local news sites, emphasising "Kennedy grit for New York." Media buys total $800,000 through February.
Broader 2026 Midterm Landscape
The 2026 midterms feature 35 Senate races and full House renewal amid President Trump's second term. Democratic retirements exceed 20, creating open seats. National trends show crowded primaries in California, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Ranked-choice voting debates surface in several states.
New York's delegation faces redistricting after 2024 court rulings. Safe seats like NY-12 allow focus on turnout. GOP challengers in adjacent districts reference Schlossberg as "celebrity nepotism." Democratic unity post-endorsement appears solid, per DNC memos.
Voter outreach includes multilingual mailers in Spanish, Mandarin, and Russian, reflecting district diversity. Early voting starts May 2026. Analysts project 85% Democratic hold probability.
Event Aftermath and Next Steps
Post-endorsement, Schlossberg's war chest grew by $750,000 overnight. TV ads debut February 10, featuring Pelosi narration. Primary debates schedule four sessions through May. Filing amendments due March 1.
Pelosi plans district visits through spring, coordinating with state party chairs. Schlossberg's ground game targets young voters via campus tables at NYU and Columbia. Metrics show 15% registration spike among 18-34s.
The race exemplifies generational shifts, with average candidate age 48 versus Nadler's tenure. Coverage spans CNN, MSNBC, and local outlets like NY1. Fundraising deadlines loom quarterly.