Nancy Pelosi plans to endorse Jack Schlossberg for New York House seat: Source

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to endorse Jack Schlossberg in his bid for New York’s 12th Congressional District, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F Kennedy, is running in a crowded Democratic primary for the Manhattan-based seat. The district is currently represented by retiring Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler.

Nancy Pelosi’s planned endorsement of Jack Schlossberg and party tensions

Pelosi’s intention to back Schlossberg, first reported by The New York Times, comes at a moment when the Democratic Party is grappling with internal divisions and a broader generational shift in its leadership.

Pelosi’s backing could provide a significant boost to Schlossberg in a crowded primary field. Last month, Pelosi privately expressed frustration with members of her party during a meeting, blasting Democrats after nearly half of those on the House Oversight Committee voted to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress.

The vote stemmed from the Clintons’ refusal to comply with subpoenas related to the committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement reviewed by The Times, Pelosi said Schlossberg’s candidacy would "help Democrats win nationwide.” She further said, “This is a consequential moment for the country — faith in our politics is fractured and trust in government is tenuous,”

Pelosi continued, “This moment calls for leaders who understand the stakes and how to deliver for the people they serve.” In a brief interview, Schlossberg called Pelosi "a hero" of his and described her endorsement as "a shot of adrenaline, a lot like what I felt when she ripped up the president’s State of the Union last term."

Jack Schlossberg’s congressional run in New York’s 12th district

Schlossberg announced his candidacy last year in November for the Democratic primary to represent New York’s 12th Congressional District. He is the first direct descendant of JFK to seek elected office.

Schlossberg is also the cousin of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, though he has been publicly critical of him. The 12th District encompasses the geographical heart of Manhattan, including all of Central Park.

Schlossberg described the district as home to “the best hospitals and schools, restaurants and museums,” calling it “the financial and media capital of the world.”

In his campaign statement, he said the district deserves a representative who can “harness the creativity, energy and drive of this district and translate that into political power in Washington.”

In a video announcing his run, Schlossberg said he is seeking office to represent the district where "he was born and raised, where I took the bus to school every single day from one side of the district to the other."

Schlossberg has also aligned himself with the younger, progressive wing of the Democratic Party, backing Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayor’s race and dismissing concerns about crossing former Gov Andrew Cuomo, who was previously married to Kerry Kennedy, his niece, stating, “I don’t give a f**k.”