Nadler: Schlossberg ‘certainly is not going to be a major candidate’

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) said Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, “certainly is not going to be a major candidate” vying for his House seat.

CNN’s Kate Bolduan asked the retiring lawmaker about his thoughts on Schlossberg potentially holding the Manhattan seat.

“Well, there’s nothing particularly good or bad about a Kennedy holding my seat. But the Kennedy, unlike Schlossberg, should be somebody with a record of public service, a record of public accomplishment, and he doesn’t have one,” Nadler replied.

“And so, I don’t think he’s going to be a candidate in the end, and he certainly is not going to be a major candidate. There will be major candidates,” he continued. “Micah Lasher, who is an assemblyman — who was an aide to me many years ago and who was chief of policy for the governor and worked for the [former New York Mayor Michael] Bloomberg administration — he has declared — he has filed. I’m sure there’ll be other candidates.”

Schlossberg, who has become a vocal critic of former President Trump and his allies, is reported to be considering a bid for Nadler’s seat. He also posted a poll on his Instagram Wednesday, asking his followers whether he should “run for Congress.”

The Hill has reached out to Schlossberg for comment.

On Monday, Nadler announced he would not seek reelection in 2026 and called for “generational change” in the Democratic Party.

“Watching the [former President] Biden thing really said something about the necessity for generational change in the party, and I think I want to respect that,” Nadler told The New York Times, adding a younger successor “can maybe do better, can maybe help us more.”

Schlossberg has built a notable social media presence in recent years, often offering his takes on current politics, including his cousin Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, whom he has criticized.