May 2, 2026 NEW YORK, NY The air inside Civic Hall at Union Square was thick with more than just political ambition this week. It was thick with the kind of high-stakes tension you only find when the city’s most influential LGBTQ political powerhouse, the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC, prepares to crown the winners and losers of the upcoming primary season.
After a grueling two-hour marathon forum, the club has officially released its list of "chosen ones." But the endorsements aren't the only thing people are talking about. From sharp-tongued clashes with youth activists to a Kennedy heir defending his trust fund, this wasn't your average rubber-stamp meeting.
The "Establishment" Holds the Line
Despite the fiery debates, the club opted for stability at the top of the ticket. In a sweeping move, Stonewall threw its weight behind the heavy hitters currently occupying the state’s highest offices:
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Governor: Kathy Hochul
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Attorney General: Letitia James
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Comptroller: Thomas DiNapoli
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Lieutenant Governor: Former Speaker Adrienne Adams
Jack Schlossberg and the "Trust Fund" Defense
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising moment of the night came from Jack Schlossberg, grandson of JFK and a candidate for NY-12. When pressed on his campaign finances, Schlossberg didn't shy away from his legacy.
"I have a lot of relatives who died young," Schlossberg told the crowd in a moment of blunt transparency. "They left me money. It’s in a trust. I can’t do anything about it... I’m not sure what you want me to do."
He clarified that he isn't using the family fortune to bankroll his run, but the exchange highlighted the growing divide between establishment pedigree and the grassroots energy surging through the district.
Gen Z vs. The Old Guard
The generational divide was on full display when NY-12 candidate Micah Lasher was grilled by youth activist Lorelei Crean. While Lasher touted a career-long record of supporting LGBTQ causes, the exchange turned frosty when the timeline of his activism was challenged.
Lasher stood his ground, firing back: "Respectfully, I have been involved in these issues, I think, for your entire lifetime... I am not going to concede the issue that I don’t have a strong record."
The Full Congressional Slate
The club’s endorsements for Congress signal a mix of progressive favorites and reliable incumbents:
