Key Takeaways
- Dozens of members of Congress are nearing the end of their careers, and some of their family members are running for office in 2026.
- Several notable races feature candidates who are related to former or current politicians, including Democrat Angus King III, Democrat Hannah Pingree, and Republican Jonathan Bush.
- Being part of a political family can bring benefits such as instant name recognition and fundraising relationships, but it can also bring challenges like accusations of nepotism and pressure to distinguish oneself from their family.
- Some candidates, like Stefany Shaheen and Christine Pelosi, are trying to carve out their own lanes and make a name for themselves in politics.
- The trend of political families is not new, but it continues to be a significant aspect of American politics.
Introduction to Political Families
The 2026 campaign cycle is already seeing a number of notable races involving candidates who are related to former or current politicians. In Maine, for example, there are three contenders who are political scions: Democrat Angus King III, the son of independent Sen. Angus King; Democrat Hannah Pingree, the daughter of Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine; and Republican Jonathan Bush, the nephew and cousin of the two Bush presidents. This trend is hardly new, but it continues to be a significant aspect of American politics.
The Benefits and Challenges of Being a Political Scion
Hailing from a prominent political family comes with some benefits. For one, it brings instant name recognition, which can help establish trust with voters and bring in donations. It can also help grab attention, as seen with Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, who got splashy media coverage when he entered a crowded and competitive race in New York for a Manhattan-area House seat. However, family ties can also bring a unique set of challenges for candidates. In a political environment where there’s a thirst to replace the establishment, being associated with a politician could backfire — and fuel accusations of nepotism.
Carving Out Their Own Lanes
Some candidates, like Stefany Shaheen, are trying to distinguish themselves from their families. During the historic government shutdown this fall, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen helped broker a bipartisan deal to end the shutdown, but her daughter Stefany opposed the deal, citing the fact that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was refusing to guarantee a similar vote in his chamber. This dynamic shows that even within the same family, there can be different opinions and approaches to politics. Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s daughter, Christine Pelosi, is also trying to carve out her own lane, running for a state Senate seat in California and making it clear that she wants to make her own path in politics.
The Pressure of Living Up to a Family Legacy
Living up to a family legacy can be difficult, especially when the parent is a towering figure in politics. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., who was just sworn in after winning a hard-fought primary to succeed her late father, longtime Rep. Raúl Grijalva, acknowledged that the Grijalva name gave her an edge in the race, but also said that it’s not all upsides when running as the child of a politician. "I think that the bar is set really high. If you have a parent or a spouse that has served, you have to be ready to be compared all the time, and especially if [they are] beloved," she said.
Siblings in Politics
Sometimes, the relative running for office is even closer than the parent-child relationship. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, a close ally of President Donald Trump’s, said he would not seek re-election and quickly endorsed his identical twin brother, Trever Nehls, for the job. Trump quickly followed suit and endorsed Nehls’ twin, who is now the favorite to win the primary and, thus, the ruby-red seat outside of Houston. This example shows that even siblings can be involved in politics, and it can be challenging to distinguish oneself from their family member.
Conclusion
The trend of political families continues to be a significant aspect of American politics. While being part of a political family can bring benefits, it also brings challenges like accusations of nepotism and pressure to distinguish oneself from their family. As the 2026 campaign cycle heats up, it will be interesting to see how these candidates fare and whether they can carve out their own lanes in politics. One thing is certain, however: the tradition of political families is unlikely to end anytime soon, and it will continue to shape the landscape of American politics.