The Kennedy-Schlossbergs Weigh In on Jack's Long-Shot House Campaign: What Caroline, Ed, Rose and Jack Are Feeling (Exclusive)

Juliet Pennington, Joseph KonigWed, June 24, 2026 at 4:39 PM UTC

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Jack Schlossberg visits SiriusXM Studios on June 8 in New York. Edwin Schlossberg and Caroline Kennedy at the SNL50 red carpet on Feb. 16, 2025.Credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images; NBC/Kevin Mazur/NBC via Getty -

Despite his loss, Jack Schlossberg's parents and sister expressed pride in the 33-year-old first-time candidate at his election night party in New York on Tuesday, June 23

His mother, Caroline Kennedy, father, Ed Schlossberg, and sister Rose Schlossberg told PEOPLE their thoughts on Jack's campaign and what his future has in store

The family mingled with Jack’s supporters at The Cutting Room as election night results in the Democratic primary came in

While Jack Schlossberg did not become the latest member of the extended Kennedy family to secure a congressional seat in Washington, his parents and sister expressed pride in the 33-year-old first-time candidate at his election night watch party in New York.

His mother, Caroline Kennedy, father, Ed Schlossberg, and sister Rose Schlossberg all shared their thoughts with PEOPLE as they mingled with Jack’s supporters at The Cutting Room, the Chris Noth-backed Midtown Manhattan music venue, on Tuesday, June 23.

Jack Schlossberg speaks with supporters at his primary election night party in New York on June 23.Credit: Courtesy Juliet Pennington

Caroline, 68, told PEOPLE her son did “such a great job” and decided to run for Congress in a Manhattan district being vacated by longtime Rep. Jerry Nadler “because he felt like he just couldn't not try, and I admire that so much.”

Jack and his mother both lamented the millions of dollars in super PAC money — much of it from the artificial intelligence industry — that poured into the race, both supporting and opposing eventual winner Micah Lasher and runner-up Alex Bores.

As of the morning of Wednesday, June 24, Jack was in a distant third at just around 11% of the vote, trailing Lasher and Bores, both New York state lawmakers with endorsements from major unions and established politicians.

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“He didn't just try to game the thing. He tried to really run a campaign that he believed in,” said Caroline, the only living child of President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy. “He really thought it through. He thought about what he had seen that he wasn't happy with.”

“I think he tried to show that there’s another way” than the “super PAC route,” she added.

Caroline Kennedy and her son Jack Schlossberg on the campaign trail on May 3 in New York.Credit: Jack Schlossberg/Instagram

Caroline — the former U.S. ambassador to Japan and later to Australia — continued to tell PEOPLE that she can't know for sure what her father, who was assassinated in 1963, would think of his namesake grandson’s efforts to continue the family's political legacy, but that she imagines JFK would have been supportive.

“Obviously, I don’t know, but I’m sure he’d be incredibly proud,” Caroline told PEOPLE. “I’ve heard from so many people in my family who are so impressed and excited for Jack.”

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Caroline and Ed stayed at the election night watch party long after Jack's remarks, greeting old friends and new supporters.

Caroline Kennedy appears with her son Jack Schlossberg at his campaign event in New York on May 12.Credit: Jack for NY/Instagram

Ed, 80, bragged that “Jack is able to focus his attention on how to explain how important it is to have people in the government who really want to serve and work for the people. And so many miss that idea.” Ed told PEOPLE.

“Jack was absolutely committed to that, in the same way his grandfather was. It's so thrilling for me, that he was able to get a great education, and then want to do something for the people," he continued. "That's very moving for me."

Caroline Kennedy, nominee to be ambassador of Australia, her husband Edwin Schlossberg, and son Jack Schlossberg at a Senate hearing on April 7, 2022, in Washington.Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty

As for Jack’s next steps after the unsuccessful congressional bid, Ed was wary about speaking on his son's behalf.

“His future is going to be his future,” Ed told PEOPLE. “We’ll see what happens.”

Jack’s older sister Rose traveled from California with her wife, Rory McAullife, to be with the family on Tuesday, just six months after their sister Tatiana Schlossberg died at 35 from a rare blood cancer. Jack referred to Rory as his “sister” in his remarks on Tuesday night.

“I'm so proud of Jack. He's been working so hard and I think he'd be fantastic at whatever he does,” Rose, who turns 38 on Wednesday, told PEOPLE as she made a rare public appearance to support her brother. “He has so much passion for politics and for the people of this district. So I think New York would be smart to elect him.”

Former U.S. President Barack Obama, center, receives the annual John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award from Caroline Kennedy as Tatiana Schlossberg, Edwin Schlossberg, Michella Obama, Jack Schlossberg and Rose Schlossberg join onstage in Boston on May 7, 2017.Credit: Keith Bedford/The Boston Globe via Getty

In an exclusive comment to PEOPLE shortly after midnight and following the party, Jack said the campaign was “a proud many steps” in a “journey of a thousand miles.”

“I’m very proud of all of the people who made this campaign the success that it was — from the volunteers to the voters,” the Kennedy scion said in the face of defeat. “In the journey of a thousand miles, this campaign was a proud many steps. I love New York, and I love my country. We’re all in this together — this understanding will remain my North Star.”

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