Nancy Pelosi endorses JFK grandson Jack Schlossberg in packed House race

• Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has endorsed Jack Schlossberg for a U.S. House seat in New York City.
• Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, is running to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler.
• Pelosi praised Schlossberg as a leader who can deliver for the people and help Democrats regain control of the House.
• Schlossberg announced his candidacy in November for New York's 12th Congressional District.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is endorsing Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, in a highly competitive run for a U.S. House seat in New York City, Schlossberg has announced.

After days of speculation, the Speaker Emerita is backing Schlossberg, the candidate said, posting Pelosi's lengthy endorsement in a Feb. 10 post on X.

"Speaker Pelosi is a national hero and master legislator — I'm proud to have her support. She's the backbone of the Democratic Party - no one understands Congress like she does," Schlossberg wrote. "I sat down with her, told her about our campaign and policy plans for NY12. She believes we can win."

In her statement, Pelosi said she is proud to endorse Schlossberg.

"This is a consequential moment for the country − faith in our politics is fractured and trust in government is tenuous. This moment calls for leaders who understand the stakes and how to deliver for the people they serve," Pelosi said. "Jack Schlossberg is that kind of leader − a candidate for Congress we are all excited about, and someone I am proud to endorse."

Schlossberg, 33, who announced his candidacy in November, is seeking to replace retiring New York Rep. Jerry Nadler. The only son of Caroline Kennedy, Schlossberg would serve parts of New York City if elected to succeed Nadler, the influential ex-chairman of the House Judiciary Committee who currently represents New York's 12th Congressional District.

For his part, Nadler is endorsing his former aide, Democratic New York State Assemblyman Micah Lasher, to succeed him. In a Feb. 9 video posted on X, Nadler said Lasher "by every measure, stands above the rest."

Other candidates seeking Nadler's seat includeAlex Bores, a state assembly member from the Upper East Side; attorney and political commentator George Conway, the Republican-turned-Democrat and former husband of Trump's 2016 campaign manager and adviser Kellyanne Conway; and Jami Floyd, a broadcast journalist and national political commentator.

Schlossberg is also the estranged cousin of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a key ally of President Donald Trump. Schlossberg has mocked and urged RFK Jr. to resign over his long history of promoting health disinformation, calling his cousin a "threat to public health and American scientific leadership."

Pelosi says Schlossberg 'represents best of his generation'

Pelosi, who has announced she will be stepping down from her congressional seat in January 2027, said in her Feb. 10 statement that Schlossberg represents "the best of his generation," calling him smart, creative, and driven.

Pelosi, who became the first woman to hold the position of House Speaker in 2007 and led Democrats in the House of Representatives for two decades, added that a victory could help Democrats regain control of the House, which Republicans currently hold with a slim majority of 218 to 214, with three seats vacant.

"He has a deep sense of duty, and loves New York City and the 12th district, where he grew up," Pelosi said. "Jack is not only campaigning for Congress, he is also reminding us of America's 'Greatest Generation,' calling us to public service once more, and demonstrating a new path forward.

"He is connecting with people in new ways that really matter, and because of that, his candidacy will help Democrats win nationwide − and help flip the House," Pelosi continued.

Pelosi says Schlossberg has ability to bring all sides to table

Pelosi, who received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award in 2019 from Schlossberg and his family, including his late sister, Tatiana Schlossberg, heaped more praise on the candidate.

The longtime lawmaker said Schlossberg understands that progress is not some abstract idea.

"He has released specific policies to address local challenges facing his district − plans to lower costs at the grocery store and for families, his housing initiative, his public safety measures for houses of worship, and a way to tackle the flow of illegal guns at the federal level," Pelosi said.

Pelosi added Schlossberg has "the mettle and moxie" to get policies passed in Congress, and "the ability to bring all sides to the table."

Former Speaker says nation's future depends on a new generation of leaders

Pelosi added that Schlossberg brings "a dynamic energy and optimism," and he represents a new generation of leaders who are "willing to do the hard work" of turning values into results.

"Jack possesses a unique ability to navigate the digital and the classical political worlds in ways that can get things done for people − and hold President Trump accountable," Pelosi said. "Those skills are critical right now, and they are also quite rare."