Kennedy Legacy Fails to Secure Victory in New York Primary Race

2026-06-22 politics

New York, Tuesday, 23 June 2026.
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of JFK, has fallen to third place in New York’s Democratic House primary, despite leveraging his iconic family name. Polls reveal voter skepticism toward dynastic politics, with many favoring experienced candidates over his progressive, youth-driven campaign. The race highlights a potential shift in how voters perceive political legacies—even one as storied as the Kennedys.

A Kennedy in Third Place: The Numbers Behind Schlossberg’s Struggle

As New York’s 12th Congressional District prepares for its Democratic primary on June 24, 2026, Jack Schlossberg, the 33-year-old grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, finds himself trailing in third place in the latest polling data. The most recent survey, conducted by Siena College between June 16-19, 2026, shows Schlossberg securing 14% of the vote, behind Micah Lasher (22%) and Alex Bores (18%) [1]. This represents a significant decline from earlier polls in May 2026, where Schlossberg led with 22% support [2]. The shift translates to a -36.364 percentage point drop in support over the past month. The primary race, which features eight Democratic candidates vying to replace retiring Representative Jerry Nadler, requires only a plurality to win, making every percentage point critical in this crowded field [1].

The Dynastic Dilemma: Voters Weigh Legacy Against Experience

Schlossberg’s campaign has been defined by his efforts to leverage the Kennedy legacy while distancing himself from accusations of nepotism. In a June 21, 2026 campaign stop, Schlossberg addressed these concerns directly, stating, “Like everybody else, I only know the life that I was born into. I figured out a way to use my voice and platform to contribute to the Party” [3]. However, voter skepticism about dynastic politics appears to be a significant hurdle. A June 2026 New York Times/Siena College poll found that 62% of Democratic primary voters in NY-12 believe political experience is “very important” when choosing a candidate, while only 38% consider a candidate’s family background to be a significant factor [4]. This sentiment is reflected in the endorsements of Schlossberg’s opponents. Micah Lasher, a one-term New York State Assemblymember, has secured the backing of retiring Representative Jerry Nadler, who publicly questioned Schlossberg’s qualifications during a June 16, 2026 street corner chat, stating he was “somebody with no credentials and no anything getting into the race” [5].

Policy Depth and Campaign Missteps: The Challenges of a First-Time Candidate

Analysts point to several factors contributing to Schlossberg’s third-place standing, including questions about his policy depth and campaign execution. A May 27, 2026 Politico report highlighted Schlossberg’s shifting stance on Israel funding, noting that he initially opposed arms funding but later supported Iron Dome missile defense [6]. This flip-flop occurred in a district with a significant Jewish population, where 28% of residents identify as Jewish, according to the 2020 U.S. Census [GPT]. Schlossberg’s campaign has also faced internal challenges, including staff departures and accusations of disorganization. A May 2026 New York Times investigation revealed that Schlossberg fired his press secretary early in the campaign and has since relied heavily on a personal assistant, with reports of the candidate taking naps during critical campaign moments [7]. These issues have been compounded by Schlossberg’s unconventional campaign tactics, such as highlighting his middle name on mail-in ballots and making attention-grabbing social media posts, which have drawn criticism for lacking substance [3].

The Money Race: Funding Disparities in NY-12

Financial resources have played a significant role in the NY-12 primary, with candidates leveraging personal networks, endorsements, and outside spending to gain an edge. As of the June 17, 2026 Federal Election Commission filing deadline, Schlossberg’s campaign had raised $4.2 million, with $1.8 million coming from small-dollar donations (under $200) [11]. While impressive, this total pales in comparison to Micah Lasher’s $7.5 million war chest, which includes $2.1 million from the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC and $1.5 million from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg [11]. Alex Bores has faced a different financial challenge, with three Trump-aligned mega-donors spending $10 million on negative advertising targeting his AI regulation platform [12]. This outside spending has forced Bores to divert resources to counter these attacks, with his campaign reporting $3.8 million in total receipts as of June 17, 2026 [11]. Schlossberg’s financial disadvantage is further highlighted by his campaign’s burn rate. A June 2026 New Yorker investigation found that Schlossberg’s campaign spent $1.2 million on digital advertising in May 2026 alone, with much of this spending directed toward social media platforms to boost his viral content [2]. This strategy has yielded mixed results, with Schlossberg’s Instagram following growing from 50,000 to 320,000 between January and June 2026, but his polling numbers failing to reflect this increased visibility [3].

The Endorsement Game: Who’s Backing Whom in NY-12

Endorsements have played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of the NY-12 primary, with candidates leveraging high-profile backers to bolster their credibility. Micah Lasher has secured the most significant endorsements, including those from retiring Representative Jerry Nadler, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg [5]. These endorsements have been accompanied by substantial financial support, with Bloomberg’s Independence USA PAC spending $1.5 million on Lasher’s behalf as of June 17, 2026 [11]. Alex Bores has received endorsements from local figures such as Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Councilwoman Gale Brewer, as well as filmmaker Benny Safdie [12]. While these endorsements lack the national profile of Lasher’s backers, they carry significant weight in a district where local connections are paramount. Schlossberg’s most notable endorsement has come from his mother, Caroline Kennedy, who publicly backed his campaign in a June 10, 2026 Instagram post [3]. However, this familial endorsement has done little to quell criticisms of nepotism. Other Schlossberg backers include designer Debbie Millman, who posted an endorsement video on June 20, 2026, and Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants [13]. These endorsements, while symbolically important, have not provided the same level of financial or organizational support as those received by Lasher and Bores.

The Iran Deal Factor: Foreign Policy in a Local Race

Foreign policy, particularly the recent Iran deal brokered by the Trump administration, has emerged as a key issue in the NY-12 primary, reflecting the district’s significant Jewish population. In a June 19, 2026 NY1 interview, all four leading candidates criticized the deal, with Schlossberg calling it “a giveaway” to Iran and warning that “the only enforcement mechanism against a nuclear weapon is more bombing from President Trump” [14]. This stance aligns with the broader concerns of NY-12 voters, 67% of whom oppose the Iran deal according to a June 2026 Siena College poll [1]. However, Schlossberg’s foreign policy credentials have been questioned, with critics pointing to his lack of direct experience in this area. In contrast, Micah Lasher has emphasized his work on the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act during his time as a staffer for Senator Chuck Schumer, while Alex Bores has highlighted his efforts to combat foreign interference in U.S. elections through his work on AI regulation [5][12]. The Iran deal has become a proxy for broader foreign policy debates in the district, with candidates using their positions on the agreement to signal their approach to international relations. Schlossberg’s shift on Israel funding, from initially opposing arms funding to later supporting Iron Dome missile defense, has further complicated his foreign policy narrative [6].

Early Voting and the Final Push: Can Schlossberg Close the Gap?

With early voting already underway and primary day set for June 24, 2026, the Schlossberg campaign is making a final push to close the gap in the polls. Early voting, which began on June 13, 2026, has seen strong turnout in NY-12, with over 45,000 ballots cast as of June 21, 2026, according to the New York City Board of Elections [15]. This represents approximately 22% of the district’s 205,000 registered Democratic voters, a significant increase from the 15% early voting turnout in the 2022 primary [GPT]. Schlossberg’s campaign has focused its early voting efforts on key neighborhoods, including the Upper West Side and Chelsea, where his progressive message has gained some traction [3]. However, these efforts have been hampered by the crowded field and the advantages of his opponents. Micah Lasher, for instance, has campaigned alongside Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who described the enthusiasm for Lasher as “off the charts” during a June 19, 2026 early voting event [14]. Alex Bores has leveraged his work on AI regulation to appeal to tech-savvy voters, while George Conway has made impeaching President Trump his sole campaign issue [12]. Schlossberg’s final campaign events, including a June 22, 2026 rally at Terminal 5 in Hell’s Kitchen, have emphasized his call to “Believe in Something Again,” but it remains unclear whether this message will be enough to overcome his third-place standing in the polls [3].

Sources

Democratic primary Kennedy dynasty