Jack Schlossberg is seen speaking at an engagement in Boston, May 4, 2025. | Christine Pelosi is present for the opening day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024. | Jonathan Bush Jr. attends the Americares Airlift Benefit in 2017, on Oct. 14, 2017, in Armonk, New York. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images | Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images | Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Americares
Georgia voters heading to the polls for Tuesday's primaries might not be surprised to observe a Republican hopeful named Kingston on the congressional ballot.
Similar to the public squares in Savannah or the lighthouse of St. Simon’s Island, the Kingston family has become a staple in the region, mainly due to Jack Kingston, who was the representative for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House for over two decades.
"The name Jack Kingston is widely recognized and carries significant weight in this region of coastal Georgia," Kimberly Martin, a Georgia Southern University associate professor, stated to ABC News. "We understand that name recognition is paramount."
However, Jack Kingston himself isn’t vying for a seat on Tuesday. Instead, his son, Jim Kingston, is aiming to be elected to the position his father previously held.
In this archived photograph from Jan. 7, 2026, Jim Kingston, the Republican contender for the 1st Congressional District, greets participants at the Chatham Area Republican Women gathering held at the Savannah Golf Club. Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News/USA Today Network via Imagn Images, FILE
Jim Kingston mentions on his official website that he has secured an endorsement from President Donald Trump and asserts that he is "running because my generation is the one shouldering the burden of Washington’s disarray, and we merit a voice at the table."
"He’s essentially trying to simultaneously utilize his father’s political past and lineage, while also attempting to create some separation from it," commented Hanna Brant, an associate professor at SUNY Geneseo.
'Political legacies are still relevant'
From Georgia to Alaska, some of the nation’s most recognizable political families will maintain a presence on the midterm ballots for voters.
"While I didn’t get to select my surname, my principles are rooted in those familial values," stated Tom Begich, a Democrat who is in the race for governor in Alaska, in a statement to ABC News.
Political engagement has evolved into a long-standing custom for several members within his family, many of whom associate with the Democratic Party. These include his brother Mark Begich, a former U.S. senator and Anchorage mayor, as well as his deceased uncle Joseph Begich, a significant figure in Minnesota politics. Tom Begich was 11 years old when his father, then-Rep. Nick Begich Sr., perished in an Alaskan plane crash.
"Historically, the United States has witnessed dynasties, if you will, and I don’t intend that in a negative sense," Tom Begich clarified. "I mean it in the way that someone raised in a political atmosphere is like a person raised as a blacksmith in the 1800s [and] has a child who becomes a blacksmith, and then eventually a child who transitions into a steel worker, because it’s all interconnected within the same domain."
Captured in a file photograph dated Jan. 24, 2019, Alaska Senate Democratic Leader Tom Begich is shown addressing reporters during a Senate minority press briefing in Juneau, Alaska. Becky Bohrer/AP, FILE
In California, Christine Pelosi, the daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is campaigning on the Democratic side for a state senate position.
Similarly, in New Hampshire, Sen. John E. Sununu, a part of what is widely considered New Hampshire’s most recognized political family, is competing in the Republican primary as he aims to return to the Senate. His father, John H. Sununu, along with his brother, Chris Sununu, have both held the office of Republican governor in the Granite State.
"Political legacies are still relevant," Martin observed.
'Well, your last name is Bush'
Jonathan Bush, whose uncle was once President George H.W. Bush, and whose cousins include former President George W. Bush and 2016 Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush, is hoping to secure the Republican nomination for the role of governor in Maine.
"He’s essentially branding himself as a turnaround expert and a disruptor, since he aims to distance himself from the moderate establishment image that significantly impacted Jeb Bush in 2016," Martin noted.
In April, Jonathan Bush unveiled a radio advertisement in which a voter comments, "Jonathan, I need to be candid. I support MAGA, and, well, your last name is Bush."
"I understand," Jonathan Bush responds in the ad, identifying himself as a "disruptor" with the objective of setting himself apart from politicians and lobbyists.
"What’s truly fascinating now is that numerous candidates from distinguished families are adopting a sort of hybrid approach where they leverage the family network and reputation, but they refresh the family message. I think we’re especially witnessing this trend among Republican candidates," Martin explained.
While certain candidates from established political families may attempt to create some distance from their kin, others embrace their familial connections.
Jack Schlossberg is seen speaking at an engagement in Boston, May 4, 2025. | Christine Pelosi is present for the opening day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024. | Jonathan Bush Jr. attends the Americares Airlift Benefit in 2017, on Oct. 14, 2017, in Armonk, New York.Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images | Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images | Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Americares
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, who is running as a Democrat for New York’s 12th Congressional District, campaigned on Mother’s Day alongside his mother, Caroline Kennedy. He cited his grandfather during a recent debate and has discussed his heritage extensively, both while on the campaign trail and prior to announcing his candidacy.
However, not every candidate aligns completely with their relatives.
Tom Begich isn’t the sole member of his family contesting an election in Alaska in 2026, although he is the only one campaigning as a Democrat. His nephew, Rep. Nick Begich III, is running for reelection to Congress under the Republican banner.
"He doesn’t endorse me, and I don’t endorse him, but we still share a familial bond," Tom Begich added. "We still have to maintain family ties."
Given the significant number of candidates from distinguished political backgrounds on ballots across the U.S. in 2026, the reaction from voters remains to be seen.
"We’re currently facing economic challenges and anxieties in grocery stores, and these politicians [and] political dynasties … come from privileged, affluent backgrounds that might deter voters who are currently facing considerable economic hurdles and stresses," Brant explained.
Yet, in other scenarios, voters might perceive familiar political names as symbols of stability capable of helping them navigate difficult times, Martin suggested.
"I believe the key takeaway is this," Tom Begich remarked, "if the motivation behind engaging in public service is purely for legacy, then you’ve misunderstood its essence."
Sourse: abcnews.go.com