A closely watched Democratic primary race pitted Kennedy scion and political novice Jack Schlossberg against a roster of other hopefuls \u2014 including two state lawmakers and a prominent ex-Republican \u2014 for an open congressional seat in the heart of Manhattan.<\/p>\n
Whoever ultimately wins the hotly contested primary will be well positioned for the November general election to succeed Democratic longtime Rep. Jerry Nadler, who’s retiring. Democrats make up two-thirds of the district’s registered voters.<\/p>\n
As results came in, Schlossberg made an early appearance at his watch party at a Manhattan concert venue to thank his campaign workers and reiterate his message that Democrats need to put forward more frank, responsive and inspiring candidates “who are willing to speak plainly about the cost of living, about corruption and fearlessly about the Constitution.”<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t just need younger candidates. We need different people,\u201d he said, adding, \u201cunless Democrats learn from the signals that are being sent all across the country, we are going to keep on losing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The campaign was colorful and hotly contested, partly because of Schlossberg’s star power as the social-media-savvy grandson of the late President John F. Kennedy, but also because the race became an expensive proxy fight among artificial intelligence interests.<\/p>\n
Schlossberg got plenty of attention in the race, as a member of a political dynasty who delivered his own \u201cprogressive and aggressive\u201d message in dynamic and popular, if sometimes wacky, social media posts.<\/p>\n