As the 2026 midterms approach, the ballot is crowded with candidates who carry famous political surnames—names like King, Pingree, Bush, Kennedy, and Pelosi. But a growing number of voters and political analysts are questioning whether these dynastic ties still deliver the electoral edge they once did.
In Maine’s gubernatorial race alone, three contenders boast prominent political lineages. Angus King III, son of independent Senator Angus King, is running in the Democratic primary. Hannah Pingree, daughter of Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), and Jonathan Bush, a cousin of former President George W. Bush, are also in the race. The contest has become a test case for whether a famous last name helps or hurts in today’s polarized climate.
Angus King III told The Hill he senses an “antidynasty feeling” among voters, but he distinguishes between a child entering politics and a full-fledged dynasty. “You probably have to win five or six Super Bowls before you get to ‘dynasty,’” he said. Still, he acknowledges the challenge of stepping out of his father’s shadow, noting that he sometimes must defend his father’s Senate votes.
American University historian Allan Lichtman is skeptical that family connections matter much anymore. “In this era of extreme polarization, I don’t think connections to an established political family really mean very much,” Lichtman said. He added that distrust of government is so high that a political pedigree can be a liability rather than an asset.
Historically, dynasties like the Bushes, Clintons, and Kennedys have dominated American politics. The Bush family produced two presidents—George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush—while Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton each held high office. But Lichtman argues that the power of these families is waning. He points to Kathleen Kennedy Townsend’s failed 2002 gubernatorial bid in Maryland as “the beginning of the end of that dynasty.”
This cycle, Jonathan Bush is running as “a new kind of Bush” in Maine’s Republican primary, but he faces an uphill battle in a state rated “likely Democratic” by the Cook Political Report. Meanwhile, Christine Pelosi, daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is seeking a state Senate seat in California, and Jack Schlossberg, a Kennedy family member, is running for Congress in New York.
Hannah Pingree, a former Maine state House Speaker, says she and her mother have essentially grown up in politics together. “We’ve each been doing our own thing, but obviously both care a lot about Maine,” she told The Hill. They’ve shared the ballot three times—in 2002, 2008, and 2026—and have supported each other’s campaigns.
Angus King III emphasizes his professional experience in renewable energy and affordable housing, as well as his time in the Clinton administration. He tells voters, “You know his dad, so you know his values,” but he insists his career stands on its own. “I wouldn’t change it,” he said about sharing his father’s name. “I’m proud and feel very fortunate to share that name. But it absolutely comes with challenges.”
As the midterms heat up, the question remains: Are voters looking for change or familiarity? With 72% of Americans saying money floods politics, according to a recent poll, and a growing distrust of institutions, political dynasties may no longer be the safe bet they once were. For candidates like King, Pingree, and Bush, the name might open doors—but it won’t guarantee victory.
