This New York Democratic Primary Is Already A Three-Ring Circus

A Democrat will almost certainly be the next congressman from New York’s 12th Congressional District, a solidly blue seat in Manhattan. The real race is the Democratic primary, which, a year before the election, is already a circus.

Longtime Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler announced in September that he would not be seeking re-election, opening up the seat he has held since 1992, which he won with over 80% of the vote in the last two elections.

Among those Democrats vying to replace Nadler are state Reps. Alex Bores and Micah Lasher, New York City Councilman Erik Bottcher, attorney Laura Dunn, nonprofit founder Liam Elkind, and attorney Jami Floyd. Earlier this month, Jack Schlossberg — social media influencer, “Vogue” political correspondent, and grandson of President John F. Kennedy — entered the already crowded fray with his characteristic flair.

“WE NEED YOUR HELP !!! Please consider donating so we can go to Washington and FIX IT,” Schlossberg wrote on X this week. “WE ARE A MOVEMENT powered by people who know WE DESERVE BETTER.”

Schlossberg’s bizarre social media posts include a swipe at his cousin, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in which he references drinking semen and “jew blood.” He also filmed himself performing a Nazi salute, apparently an effort to mock Elon Musk. Schlossberg has since deleted both tweets.

Schlossberg’s website boasts his full name — John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg — and lists his “12 promises to the people of New York’s 12th District,” which include “service,” “courage,” and “patriotism,” but no real policy proposals.

Gun control activist Cameron Kasky, who is also weighing a bid for the seat, warned that “If you are a Democrat running in 2026 and do not fully support an arms embargo to the State of Israel amidst their ongoing genocide in Gaza despite Trump’s fake ‘ceasefire,’ Stop wasting everybody’s time. It’s over. The people have spoken. Moral clarity is winning.”

The race to represent Midtown Manhattan comes in the shadow of the election of Democrat Zohran Mamdani as New York City mayor earlier this month.

Mamdani, who has proposed multiple socialist policies, could end up becoming a key factor in the race, as some in the running have already advocated for his candidacy or have critiqued his policies.

“Mamdani is right: New Yorkers are being squeezed out of the city they love,” Floyd noted in a recent Substack post, noting that she did not vote for him. “But his rent-freeze proposal for one million stabilized apartments would backfire. It would choke investment, reduce maintenance, and shrink the housing supply. The truth is that there can be no affordable housing without those who build and maintain it.”

Others, like Elkind, have floated other controversial proposals, such as abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“It’s time to restore our commitment to liberty and justice. It’s time to defend the rule of law from those who abuse it in its name. It’s time to abolish ICE,” Elkind said in an October 22 statement.

The primary election is on June 23, 2026.