Posted July 8, 2026 | by KimS | in 2026 Elections, DemDaily, Democratic Party, Gubernatorial, House, Senate

DemDaily: Political Dynasties: The Next Generation

July 8, 2026

Despite Americans' rejection of monarchical rule, family political dynasties have long been a part of our country's history.

From the storied days of the Kennedy and Bush families, who long reigned as the preeminent Democratic and Republican scions, to lesser-known descendants today, voters have held a continued fascination with legacy lawmakers.

Some 20 political heirs currently serve at the congressional or gubernatorial level, with many others in legislative, municipal, or local office. A dozen more are pitching their pedigree for the first time in the 2026 midterms.

US House of Representatives
At least 14 current members of the US House come from families with histories of public service.

Thomas Barrett (R/MI-7): The first-term Republican, 45, is the great-grandson of Louis Rabaut, a Democrat who represented Michigan's 14th Congressional District from 1935 to 1947 and from 1949 to 1961.

Nick Begich III (R/AK-AtLarge): The freshman congressman, 48, bucked his family's legendary history in Alaska Democratic politics to run as a Club for Growth conservative. His grandfather, Nick Begich Sr., was killed in a plane crash in 1972 in his first term in Congress, and his uncle Mark Begich served in the US Senate (2009–2015). Another uncle, Tom Begich, is former Minority Leader of the Alaska State Senate and is a Democratic candidate for governor.

Gus Bilirakis (R/FL-12): The ten-term congressman, 64, is seeking reelection to the Tampa Bay area seat that his father, Michael Bilirakis, held for the previous 24 years.

Mario Diaz-Balart (R/FL-12): The 12-term Congressman, 63, and his brother, former 11-term Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R), come from deeply rooted Cuban politics. Their aunt was the first wife of Cuban President Fidel Castro, and their father was a leader in the Batista government before the Revolution. He later founded the first anti-Castro organization in the US.

Debbie Dingell (D/MI-6): The five-term Congresswoman succeeded her husband, John Dingell, who was history's longest-serving member of Congress (1955-2015). He succeeded his father, John Dingell Sr., who held the seat for 22 years. In total, the Dingells have represented the southeast Michigan district since 1932.

The Kennedys: For decades, the Kennedy family personified the political dynasty and romantic symbol of America's own royalty. The "Age of Camelot" peaked in the 1960s during John F Kennedy's presidency, when his brothers -- US Attorney General and future US Senator and presidential candidate Bobby Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy, later known as the "Lion of the Senate" -- served by his side. The Kennedy imprint, however, spans well over a century, beginning with Patrick Joseph "P. J." Kennedy, who was elected to the Massachusetts State legislature in 1886. Eight members of the Kennedy clan have served in Congress (in the US House and/or US Senate), three more as US Ambassadors, two as Cabinet officials, one Lt. Governor, and at least five state legislators and two mayors.

The Kennedys: For decades, the Kennedy family personified the political dynasty and romantic symbol of America's own royalty. The "Age of Camelot" peaked in the 1960s during John F Kennedy's presidency, when his brothers -- US Attorney General and future US Senator and presidential candidate Bobby Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy, later known as the "Lion of the Senate" -- served by his side. The Kennedy imprint, however, spans well over a century, beginning with Patrick Joseph "P. J." Kennedy, who was elected to the Massachusetts State legislature in 1886. Eight members of the Kennedy clan have served in Congress (in the US House and/or US Senate), three more as US Ambassadors, two as Cabinet officials, one Lt. Governor, and at least five state legislators and two mayors.

Brian Fitzpatrick (R/PA-1): Fitzpatrick, 52, succeeded his late brother, Michael Fitzpatrick, in representing Pennsylvania's 8th CD.

Adelita Grijalva (D/AZ-7): The daughter of 12-term Congressman Raul Grijalva, Adelita, 55, was elected in a November 2025 special election to succeed her late father.

Harriet Hageman (R/WY-AtLarge): The two-term congresswoman, 63, and daughter of long-serving Wyoming State Representative James Hageman, is running for US Senate in Wyoming's August 18 primary.

Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-1): The son of civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jonathan, 60, is in his second term representing the Southside's First District. His brother, Jesse Jackson Jr., served in Congress (IL-2) for 17 years (1995–2012) and was unsuccessful in his recent bid to secure the Democratic nomination for his old seat.

Tom Kean Jr. (R/NJ-7): The second-term congressman, 57, is son of former two-term New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean Sr.

Rob Menendez (D/NJ-8): Seeking a third term, Rob, 40, is the son of former US Senator Bob Menendez, who served in the US House for 13 years and the upper chamber for 18 years until his resignation in 2024.

Grace Meng (D/NY-7): The daughter of Jimmy Meng, the first Asian American elected to the New York State Legislature, Grace, 50, is running for her eighth term.

Emilia Sykes (D/OH-13): Now in her second term, Emilia, 40, is the daughter of Ohio State Senator Vernon Sykes and former State Representative Barbara Sykes.

US House Candidates
Joseph Baldacci (D-ME): The Maine State Senator, 61, and brother of former Congressman and Governor John Baldacci (D), lost his bid for the Democratic nomination in the 2nd CD.

Jim Kingston (R-GA): The 35-year-old insurance broker and son of US Congressman Jack Kingston (1883-2015), is the Republican nominee for the First Congressional District of Georgia.

Jack Schlossberg (D-NY): The grandson of JFK and first Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and daughter of former Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, Schlossberg ran unsuccessfully in the June 23 Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District. An attorney, he is 33.

Stefany Shaheen (D-NH): A former Portsmouth City Council member, health care advocate and entrepreneur, Stefany, 51, is the daughter of retiring three-term US Senator and former Governor Jeanne Shaheen. She is running in the September 8 primary for New Hampshire's Second CD.

US Senate
Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV): The former seven-term congresswoman and two-term US Senator is the daughter of three-term Governor Arch Moore (1969-1977, 1985-1989). Capito's son, Riley Moore, is a State Representative.

Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): Alaska's US Senator since 2002, she was first appointed to the seat by her father, Frank Murkowski, who vacated it to become Governor of Alaska. She is up for reelection in 2028.

Rand Paul (R-KY): The three-term Kentucky Senator and 2016 presidential candidate is the son of former 12-term Texas Congressman and three-time presidential candidate Ron Paul. He is up for reelection ln 2028.

The Bush Family: One of the most successful political dynasties in US history, the Bush family has produced four generations of elected leaders. From patriarch Prescott Bush, a Wall Street investment banker and US Senator from Connecticut (1952 to 1963), to dominance of Texas politics by his son, George H.W. Bush, who served in Congress, as UN Ambassador, CIA Director, and Vice President before becoming the 41st US President (1989–1993). George's oldest son, George W. Bush, served for two terms as the 43rd US President (2001–2009), and another son, Jeb Bush, served two terms as Governor of Florida (1999–2007).

The Bush Family: One of the most successful political dynasties in US history, the Bush family has produced four generations of elected leaders. From patriarch Prescott Bush, a Wall Street investment banker and US Senator from Connecticut (1952 to 1963), to dominance of Texas politics by his son, George H.W. Bush, who served in Congress, as UN Ambassador, CIA Director, and Vice President before becoming the 41st US President (1989–1993). George's oldest son, George W. Bush, served for two terms as the 43rd US President (2001–2009), and another son, Jeb Bush, served two terms as Governor of Florida (1999–2007).

Senate Campaigns
Mike Collins (R-GA): The two-term 10th District Congressman, 59, is the 2026 Republican nominee for the US Senate. He is the son of former Congressman Mac Collins (1993-2005).

John E. Sununu (R-NH): The former First District Congressman (1997–2003) and New Hampshire US Senator (2003–2009) is running in the September 9 Republican primary to reclaim the Senate seat he lost in 2008 to then-Governor Jeanne Shaheen.

From one of New England's most powerful political families, he is the son of former Governor and White House Chief of Staff John H. Sununu and the older brother of Chris Sununu, who served as Governor from 2017 to 2025.

Governors
Andy Beshear (D-KY): The current two-term Governor of Kentucky, Andy is the son of Steve Beshear, who also served two terms as the Governor of Kentucky from 2007 to 2015.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR): Elected in 2023, she is the first woman to govern a state that her father also led. Former Governor Mike Huckabee (1996-2007) ran for president twice. Sanders is up for re-election this year.

Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM): Grisham served three terms in Congress before being elected the country's first Democratic Hispanic woman governor in 2018. She was re-elected in 2022 and is limited to a second term.

The Lujan family has been a powerful force in New Mexico politics for generations. Her grandfather, Eugene Lujan, was a state Supreme Court Chief Justice; her uncle, Ben Lujan, was a former Speaker of the State House; and her Uncle Manuel Lujan Jr., a Republican, served 10 terms in Congress and as US Interior Secretary.

Gubernatorial Campaigns
Tom Begich (D-AK): The former Alaska State Senate Minority Leader (2019-2023) is a Democratic candidate for governor in the August 18 nonpartisan primary. He hails from the state's prominent Democratic political family and is the uncle of At-Large Congressman Nick Begich III, who is a Republican.

In a highly unusual convergence of dynasties, the June 9 Maine gubernatorial primary featured candidates from the prominent Pingree, King and Bush political families.

Hannah Pingree (D-ME): A former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, Pingree is the daughter of nine-term Congresswoman Chellie Pingree.

Angus King III (D-ME): Son of former two-term governor and independent US Senator Angus King II, the younger King, 55, is a former renewable energy company executive.

Jonathan Bush (R-ME): A successful healthcare technology entrepreneur and political newcomer, he is the nephew of President George H.W. Bush and cousin of President George W. Bush.

Pingree won the democratic primary with King eliminated in the first round of ranked-choice voting among five contenders. Bush came in third of eight candidates after the first round of ranked-choice voting, and ultimately lost to former US Assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles.

State Legislative Races
In the highest-profile state legislative race featuring a political legacy, former prosecutor, women's rights attorney and Clinton Administration Counsel Christine Pelosi -- daughter of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- is running for the San Francisco-based 11th State Senate District in California.

DemList will keep you informed.