By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — The announced retirement of Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-New York) provided the opportunity for the grandson of the slain U.S. President John F. Kennedy to declare his 2026 candidacy in New York’s 12th Congressional District.
Jack Schlossberg is the son of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, a former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and Australia, and her Jewish husband Edwin Schlossberg. His mother reportedly opposed his declaring his candidacy given that his grandfather, Jack, and great-uncle, Senator Robert F. Kennedy were both assassinated in the 1960s.
According to news reports in the New York City media, Caroline worries about these toxic times in national politics and also about rising antisemitism. Although Jack was raised in his mother’s Catholic religion, his father identifies as a Jew.
*
Former Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-Virginia) has announced she will be a candidate in 2026 for her old seat in a rematch against Republican Jen Kiggens in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.
Her decision was buoyed by the Nov. 4 election results in which Democrats swept to victory in all the statewide contests. Her former congressional colleague, Abigail Spanberger, was elected as Virginia’s governor — the first woman to do so.
*
The Republican Jewish Coalition laid the blame for the 43-day government shutdown on the Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, respectively Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, both of New York. Both leaders “continue to oppose re-opening the government,” Matt Brooks, the RJC CEO stated.
“Thankfully, eight Senate Democrats finally accepted a deal they could have made weeks ago and spared American families the stress, frustration, and suffering their shutdown caused,” Brooks’ statement continued.
“Democrats should be ashamed of causing this sorry mess. The voters will remember it in next year’s midterm elections.”
*
Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World.