Young, Progressive Candidates Vie for Nadler’s Congressional Seat in NYC
In the wake of recent Democratic victories across the country, a new wave of young, progressive candidates has emerged in New York City, all competing to replace retiring Congressman Jerry Nadler in the 12th Congressional District. This crowded field reflects a generational shift in Democratic politics, with candidates in their twenties and thirties bringing fresh perspectives and digital-savvy approaches to their campaigns. Perhaps the most notable among them is Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy, whose entry into the race has garnered significant national attention. Despite his political pedigree and substantial social media following—with nearly 850,000 TikTok followers and 770,000 on Instagram—Schlossberg’s actual political experience is limited, having most recently served as a political correspondent for Vogue during the 2024 presidential election.
The field expanded further this week when 25-year-old Cameron Kasky, a Democratic activist and gun control advocate, announced his candidacy. Kasky, who survived the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, and subsequently co-founded March For Our Lives, brings his own compelling personal narrative to the race. “I’m running for Congress because it feels like our party has no future, so we need to invest in a new generation of leaders to take on the fight,” Kasky declared in his announcement video, which featured a stylistic approach reminiscent of NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s campaign materials. Kasky’s platform includes bold progressive policies such as Medicare for All, ending “funding genocide,” and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His entry comes at a time when progressives nationwide are energized by recent electoral successes, including 34-year-old democratic socialist Mamdani’s victory in New York City’s mayoral race.
The progressive momentum in New York extends beyond Nadler’s district, with New York City Council member Chi Ossé launching a primary challenge against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a neighboring district. However, this move has created some friction within progressive circles, as even Mayor-elect Mamdani has suggested it’s not “the right time” to challenge the highest-ranking House Democrat. This reflects the ongoing tension within the Democratic Party about how aggressively to push for generational change and more progressive policies, especially in leadership positions. The energy behind these younger candidates demonstrates how the progressive wing of the party is attempting to capitalize on recent electoral victories to reshape Democratic representation in Congress.
Liam Elkind, another 26-year-old candidate in the race for Nadler’s seat, completes a trio of Gen Z contenders all presenting similar walk-and-talk campaign videos that emphasize their youth and energy. Elkind’s campaign promises focus on “actually fighting Trump,” improving the Democratic Party, ending corruption, and addressing affordability and civil rights issues. This cohort of twenty-something candidates represents a distinct generational approach to politics, heavily utilizing social media and video content to connect with voters in ways that traditional political campaigns have often struggled to achieve. Their campaigns mirror the successful digital strategies employed by figures like Mamdani, whose victory has provided a template for young progressives seeking elected office.
The race also features several slightly older but still relatively young candidates, including Assembly members Micah Lasher (43) and Alex Bores (mid-30s), as well as Council member Erik Bottcher (46). These candidates bring more traditional political experience to the table but are still positioning themselves as agents of change. Lasher aims to “revitalize the Democratic Party,” Bores promises to fix “big systems” that “have stopped working for the little guys,” and Bottcher pledges to “keep the New York City dream alive and take back our country.” Their presence in the race demonstrates that the desire for new leadership spans beyond just the youngest generation of activists, encompassing a broader coalition of Democrats who feel the party needs fresh energy and approaches.
Rounding out the crowded field are civil rights lawyer Laura Dunn (40), former journalist Jami Floyd (61), finance professional Alan Pardee (58), and LGBTQ rights activist Matthew Shurka (37). This diverse array of candidates represents varying perspectives within the Democratic coalition, from Floyd’s more moderate stance (notably not supporting Mamdani in November) to Dunn’s promise to run “fearlessly for the people.” The district, which encompasses Manhattan’s West Side from Chelsea and Greenwich Village through Midtown and the Upper West Side, has long been a Democratic stronghold, making the primary contest the decisive battleground. As these candidates compete for voter attention in one of the nation’s most media-saturated environments, the race serves as a microcosm of the broader debates within the Democratic Party about its future direction, leadership, and how best to engage voters in the post-Trump era.
