By CHARLIE SPIERING, US POLITICAL REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
Chelsea Clinton is seriously considering a campaign to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler in New York’s 12th congressional district, according to reports.
Political ‘insider’ rumors surrounding the former first daughter’s interest in the race turned into a firestorm on social media on Tuesday evening.
‘She’s probably got a shot if she wants it,’ a New York political insider told the Daily Mail.
However, another insider cautioned the rumors were fueled by ‘wishful thinking’ from the Democratic establishment living in fear of a Democratic socialist taking over a district that includes Manhattan’s ultra-wealthy Upper West and Upper East Side.
Democratic socialist New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani won the party primary for mayor of New York City, part of an ongoing takeover of the party that was once deeply controlled by a well-established political class.
‘The impression that I’ve had is that she’s not actually terribly interested in entering the political fray,’ the source told the Daily Mail.
Others have cited the possibility of Jack Schlossberg, 32, the grandson of John F. Kennedy getting into the race.
Schlossberg told the New York Times his entry into the race was ‘certainly a possibility’ but he did not confirm his intent to run.
Schlossberg is the son of JFK’s daughter Caroline Kennedy.
The future of the historically safe seat for Democrats will likely be set in the Democratic primary scheduled for June 23, 2026.
Chelsea Clinton attends the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting
Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton Mezvinsky pose backstage at a play in New York City
A Schlossberg versus Clinton race would set up a clash of two of the most famous Democratic political dynasties for the future of New York.
The daughter of President Bill Clinton and First Lady and failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Chelsea typically emerges as a possible candidate every time a Democrat in New York steps down.
Chelsea Clinton last posted a picture of her father on social media to mark his birthday in August, reminding everyone about the responsibility of public service.
‘My dad continues to teach by example that empathy is strength, optimism is a moral choice, and that we all have a role to play in building a better future,’ she wrote.
Clinton was also rumored as a possible Congressional candidate for the 2020 midterms, after Representative Nita Lowey of New York stepped down from her position.
In 2019, Clinton went on The View to announce she was not interested in running, acknowledging that, ‘someone has asked me some version of this question for literally as long as I can remember.’
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy, speaks during day two of the 2024 Democratic National Convention
Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and son Jack Schlossberg
But she did not close the door to a future run for office.
‘Maybe,’ she said. ‘But not now.’
But the future of New York might lie with the next generation of young socialist Democrats running for office in the city.
Liam Elkind, a 26-year-old community organizer made a splash this Summer by calling on Nadler to retire and launching a primary challenge.
Other Democrats who might have interest in the race include assemblymember Micah Lasher, a former Nadler aide, former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, investor Whitney Tilson, actor and activist Cynthia Nixon, and attorney Tali Farhadian.
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