<p>The 2026 primary contests are nearing completion. Last week in New Hampshire, Stefany Shaheen and John E. Sununu, members of prominent political families in the state, won their respective races. Shaheen, daughter of retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen, secured the Democratic nomination for a congressional seat in a competitive primary. Sununu, son of former Governor John H. Sununu and brother of current Governor Chris Sununu, won the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate. He previously faced Shaheen’s mother in elections, winning in 2002 and losing in 2008.</p>
<p>This year, there will be no members of the Kennedy or Bush families on the November ballot. Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy, lost a bid for a congressional seat in New York. Jonathan Bush, a cousin of George W. Bush, lost a primary in Maine for the Republican nomination for governor. Additionally, Angus King III, son of Senator Angus S. King Jr., also lost a primary in Maine.</p>
<p>Other political family members are running this fall, including Christine Pelosi, daughter of Nancy Pelosi, who is campaigning for a state Senate seat in California. Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, grandson of Senator Chuck Grassley, is expected to be reelected. Beau Bayh, son and grandson of notable Indiana politicians, is running for Indiana Secretary of State. Darlene Graham Nordone may become the first sister to directly succeed a brother in the Senate following her brother Lindsey’s death earlier this year.</p>
<p>While no members of the Trump family are running this year, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are often mentioned as potential future candidates. A Monmouth poll from 2018 indicated skepticism about the Trump family's influence, with 43% of respondents believing their financial interests had too much sway over Trump's presidency. An August 2026 Ipsos/Reuters poll found that 63% of respondents think Trump and his family have inappropriately profited from his dealings.</p>
<p>Political dynasties are common in the U.S., but polls on public opinion regarding them are infrequent. In 2007 and 2008, after the Bush and Clinton families had dominated presidential elections for two decades, some polls indicated more people viewed this negatively than positively, although many were indifferent. A February 2018 Morning Consult poll showed Americans divided on the impact of political dynasties, with 26% viewing them positively and 28% negatively.</p>
<p>Historically, there have been many families with multiple members serving in Congress. A 1978 analysis noted around 700 families had two or more members in Congress, while a 2010 study suggested nearly 9% of members in the past two centuries were closely related to previous Congress members. This trend indicates that family members often pursue political office after observing relatives in leadership roles, bringing familiarity and skills that may enhance their electability.</p>
<p>However, there is also public fatigue regarding familiar political figures, with some viewing them as part of the problem in governance. While political dynasties are a longstanding aspect of American politics, public sentiment remains mixed about their continuation.</p>