John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg, the 33-year-old grandson of President John F. Kennedy, fell significantly short in his bid for a congressional seat in New York's 12th district, securing only 10.8% of the vote in the Democratic primary. The campaign was marked by internal staff dissatisfaction and public scrutiny of Schlossberg's qualifications and his unconventional social media presence, which critics described as erratic and attention-seeking.
Schlossberg, who ran under his full name, faced challenges throughout the campaign, including reports of a campaign staff turnover and a notable incident where he reportedly disappeared from his own campaign launch for a nap. While this was later explained as a visit to his sister Tatiana, who was terminally ill, the narrative of a candidate lacking gravitas persisted. Critics pointed to his resume, which featured no single job held for more than six months, and characterized him as a "pampered political prince" with limited real-world experience. One political consultant noted that Schlossberg had no established base and his positions shifted during the race, suggesting his appeal was primarily to younger, non-voting demographics.
Despite academic credentials that include degrees from Yale and Harvard Law and Business Schools, and passing the New York State Bar exam with a high score, Schlossberg's career path has been eclectic. His experience includes stints at Suntory in Japan, a brief role as a police officer in the TV show Blue Bloods, and a position as a staff assistant at the State Department. He also worked as a political correspondent for Vogue during the 2024 election cycle. Financial disclosures revealed virtually no earned income, with his assets valued up to $32 million, primarily from trust funds.
His social media activity on platforms like Instagram and TikTok became a significant point of contention. Videos featured him shirtless, dancing, lip-syncing, and discussing dating, as well as impersonating public figures. He described himself as a "silly goose." However, his online behavior also included sharp criticisms of family members, such as calling his uncle Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a "freaking p***k," and engaging in provocative posts targeting public figures, including Second Lady Usha Vance and lawyer Alan Dershowitz.
Following criticism, Schlossberg briefly deleted his social media accounts, issuing an apology for causing hurt, but resumed posting less than two weeks later. Some observers, including members of his extended family and figures like Alan Dershowitz and Megyn Kelly, expressed concern over his behavior, with some suggesting he needs psychological help and that his candidacy was an insult to voters. Dershowitz advised him to "go silent for two years, decide on a career. Compete on the basis of meritocracy, not on the basis of a name."
His mother, Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of John F. Kennedy and a former U.S. Ambassador, was a prominent supporter, encouraging his run and standing by him after the loss. Despite the electoral defeat, she indicated that his political journey might not be over, telling The New York Times, "Stay tuned."
Experts suggest that while Schlossberg has charisma and is clever, his future political endeavors will depend on his ability to forge an identity independent of the Kennedy name and to define a clear message and build a base. His campaign, which ran against more established local candidates Micah Lasher and Alex Bores, was seen by some as an attempt to elevate the race beyond a district contest, but ultimately his numbers declined as the other candidates gained traction. As one Democratic consultant noted, running for office requires more than social media posts, emphasizing the need to build a team, establish a message, and campaign consistently. Schlossberg's 2024 campaign was seen by some as a "test run" that provided valuable lessons for any future candidacies.