Pelosi Gambles on Nepo Baby JFK Grandson, Snubs Nadler’s Favorite

Paul Riverbank, 2/8/2026Pelosi backs JFK’s grandson, igniting a Manhattan race fueled by legacy, youth, and digital strategy.

Pelosi’s decision to throw her support behind Schlossberg speaks volumes—and, in its own way, stirs the pot. Few know the quiet workings of House power and Democratic momentum as intimately as the former Speaker. At 85, with her own monumental run winding down, she wades into primaries only when she senses something consequential is at stake. Her endorsement, accompanied by careful words about Schlossberg’s “policy chops” and “drive to engage young voters,” isn’t just an applause line—it’s a signal, loud and clear, to Democratic operatives.

Schlossberg, perhaps predictably, greets both hype and skepticism with a certain candor. For all the talk of dynastic politics, he hardly shrinks from the family history—nor does he rely entirely on nostalgia. Instead, he’s positioned his campaign as the digital antidote to what he calls the party’s sluggish messaging, peppering his rollout with viral clips that clearly target TikTok generations more than rotary-club regulars. His words on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—"a loser" and “a threat to public health”—land sharper and more direct than the standard-issue Democratic press release.

Critics, of course, toss “nepo baby” barbs his way. Even supporters admit that his last name evokes as much scrutiny as admiration—especially in a district where legacies are tested, not simply inherited. Then again, it’s hard to ignore the emotional weight of the Kennedy story lately: The recent loss of Schlossberg’s sister, Tatiana, at only 35, has cast a shadow on the campaign that even the candidate himself acknowledges. He speaks openly about how Pelosi’s support felt like “a shot of adrenaline,” likening her trademark moves—most notably, tearing up Trump’s State of the Union speech—to exactly the kind of defiant energy he wants to harness.

What’s striking is how Pelosi’s rare endorsement seems almost crafted to undercut the argument that Schlossberg is solely riding coattails. She hedges her bet by focusing on his digital fluency and grassroots appeal, brushing aside suggestions that voters might be weary of political royalty. Still, history offers a sharp reminder—Pelosi’s last foray into Kennedy-backed primaries, endorsing Joseph P. Kennedy III back in 2020, ended in disappointment. This time, she’s been careful to center the importance of youthful vigor, not just family tree.

Nadler, meanwhile, appears poised to back Micah Lasher, whose résumé—first-term assemblyman, quick ascendance—offers its own brand of reform-minded appeal. That leaves the rest of the field scrambling for daylight. Activist Cameron Kasky and attorney George Conway, among others, each bring name recognition in their circles, but none command the social-media stage quite like Schlossberg does. The race isn’t lacking for ambition, that much is clear; Lasher’s connection to Nadler, Bores’s reputation for straightforwardness, each candidate throwing their best punch.

If the race hinges on connecting with younger voters, Schlossberg is betting his strategy will break through. “I think my understanding of how to communicate in the age of vertical video will help me connect with younger people,” he told CNN—a line that lands with a mix of self-awareness and digital-era bravado. The real test, though, arrives with the primary in June. Whoever claims victory there, given the district’s solidly Democratic tilt, is almost certain to represent Manhattan in Congress.

For now, suspense brews in coffee shops and campaign offices across the district: Is Schlossberg’s moment a sign of lasting change, or just the latest turn for an American dynasty? Pelosi’s message is unambiguous—she’s betting the former. Whether Manhattan’s Democratic voters agree, we’ll soon know.

In a city where political surnames still open doors and raise eyebrows in equal measure, the emerging candidacy of Jack Schlossberg for Manhattan’s soon-to-be-vacant congressional seat has created a level of buzz not often seen—even in New York. With longtime Rep. Jerry Nadler preparing for retirement after decades in office, the field has ballooned to nearly a dozen hopefuls. Yet, any conversation about the race quickly loops back to Schlossberg, who brings with him not only Kennedy lineage but a profile unlike his competitors.Pelosi’s decision to throw her support behind Schlossberg speaks volumes—and, in its own way, stirs the pot. Few know the quiet workings of House power and Democratic momentum as intimately as the former Speaker. At 85, with her own monumental run winding down, she wades into primaries only when she senses something consequential is at stake. Her endorsement, accompanied by careful words about Schlossberg’s “policy chops” and “drive to engage young voters,” isn’t just an applause line—it’s a signal, loud and clear, to Democratic operatives.Schlossberg, perhaps predictably, greets both hype and skepticism with a certain candor. For all the talk of dynastic politics, he hardly shrinks from the family history—nor does he rely entirely on nostalgia. Instead, he’s positioned his campaign as the digital antidote to what he calls the party’s sluggish messaging, peppering his rollout with viral clips that clearly target TikTok generations more than rotary-club regulars. His words on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—"a loser" and “a threat to public health”—land sharper and more direct than the standard-issue Democratic press release.Critics, of course, toss “nepo baby” barbs his way. Even supporters admit that his last name evokes as much scrutiny as admiration—especially in a district where legacies are tested, not simply inherited. Then again, it’s hard to ignore the emotional weight of the Kennedy story lately: The recent loss of Schlossberg’s sister, Tatiana, at only 35, has cast a shadow on the campaign that even the candidate himself acknowledges. He speaks openly about how Pelosi’s support felt like “a shot of adrenaline,” likening her trademark moves—most notably, tearing up Trump’s State of the Union speech—to exactly the kind of defiant energy he wants to harness.What’s striking is how Pelosi’s rare endorsement seems almost crafted to undercut the argument that Schlossberg is solely riding coattails. She hedges her bet by focusing on his digital fluency and grassroots appeal, brushing aside suggestions that voters might be weary of political royalty. Still, history offers a sharp reminder—Pelosi’s last foray into Kennedy-backed primaries, endorsing Joseph P. Kennedy III back in 2020, ended in disappointment. This time, she’s been careful to center the importance of youthful vigor, not just family tree.Nadler, meanwhile, appears poised to back Micah Lasher, whose résumé—first-term assemblyman, quick ascendance—offers its own brand of reform-minded appeal. That leaves the rest of the field scrambling for daylight. Activist Cameron Kasky and attorney George Conway, among others, each bring name recognition in their circles, but none command the social-media stage quite like Schlossberg does. The race isn’t lacking for ambition, that much is clear; Lasher’s connection to Nadler, Bores’s reputation for straightforwardness, each candidate throwing their best punch.If the race hinges on connecting with younger voters, Schlossberg is betting his strategy will break through. “I think my understanding of how to communicate in the age of vertical video will help me connect with younger people,” he told CNN—a line that lands with a mix of self-awareness and digital-era bravado. The real test, though, arrives with the primary in June. Whoever claims victory there, given the district’s solidly Democratic tilt, is almost certain to represent Manhattan in Congress.For now, suspense brews in coffee shops and campaign offices across the district: Is Schlossberg’s moment a sign of lasting change, or just the latest turn for an American dynasty? Pelosi’s message is unambiguous—she’s betting the former. Whether Manhattan’s Democratic voters agree, we’ll soon know.