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The next generation of America’s influential political families is stepping into the spotlight, eager to uphold their storied legacies by pursuing key positions in the upcoming midterm elections.
Among the notable names seeking office in 2026 are descendants of the Kennedys, Pelosis, and Bushes, all of whom are attempting to carry forward their familial influence.
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, has entered the race for a highly contested House seat in New York City. Meanwhile, Christine Pelosi, daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is campaigning for a state Senate position in California.
On the Republican side, Jonathan Bush, both a nephew and cousin to former Bush presidents, is preparing to challenge two Democratic contenders in the Maine gubernatorial election.
Perhaps most surprising is the candidacy of Jim Kingston, a businessman with no prior political experience, who is aiming to reclaim his father’s former congressional seat in Georgia.
Kingston, whose father Jack held the seat for 22 years, raised more than $500,000 for his campaign within just one week of announcing his bid for office.
President John F. Kennedy’s grandson Jack Schlossberg (pictured with his mother Caroline Kennedy in 2023) has launched a campaign for a sought after New York City House seat
Republican Jonathan Bush, cousin of President George W Bush (pictured together), will face off against two legacy Democrats in the Maine gubernatorial race
Jack SchlossbergÂ
John F. Kennedy’s grandson Jack Schlossberg announced in November that he was seeking to succeed retiring Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler in New York’s 12th Congressional District.
Schlossberg, 32, is a member of America’s most iconic political dynasty and a sardonic social media personality with a large following.Â
Schlossberg has cultivated his online presence with frequent posts weighing in on national political issues, including taking aim at his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Trump administration’s health and human services secretary who’s been a vocal vaccine skeptic
Schlossberg has cultivated his online presence with frequent posts weighing in on national political issues, including taking aim at his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Trump administration’s health and human services secretary who’s been a vocal vaccine skeptic.
In a video announcing his candidacy, he said the district covering a core chunk of Manhattan ‘should have a representative who can harness the creativity, energy and drive of this district and translate that into political power in Washington.’
Nadler announced in September that he will not run for reelection next year after decades in office and suggested a younger Democratic lawmaker in his seat ‘can maybe do better, can maybe help us more.’Â
Schlossberg also took aim at President Donald Trump and Republican governance in Washington, saying ‘It’s a crisis at every level.’
‘We deserve better, and we can do better, and it starts with the Democratic Party winning back control of the House of Representatives,’ he said.
Christine PelosiÂ
Nancy Pelosi’s daughter Christine Pelosi has launched a state Senate campaign in San Francisco. Pictured left to right:Â Liam Kenneally, Nancy Pelosi, Paul Pelosi, and Christine Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi’s daughter Christine Pelosi has launched a state Senate campaign in San Francisco.
The women’s rights attorney is looking to replace state Sen. Scott Wiener, who is running to replace Nancy Pelosi in Congress.
Nancy decided to step aside after nearly four decades in Congress, with many having suspected that Christine would seek her seat.
Wiener’s current term does not end until 2028. If he is unsuccessful in the midterms, he would remain in his current seat until then.
Christine, who announced her 2028 run last month, told her supporters: ‘I am running to represent you, San Francisco, in Sacramento.’
Jonathan BushÂ
Republican Jonathan Bush launched his gubernatorial bid in October, branding himself as a ‘disruptor, a job creator and a fanatic Maine optimist’
Republican Jonathan Bush launched his gubernatorial bid in October, branding himself as a ‘disruptor, a job creator and a fanatic Maine optimist.’
He is looking to replace outgoing Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, and running on a platform aimed at jumpstarting the economy.
Bush, the nephew of late President George H.W. Bush, currently serves as CEO of a Boston-based health data platform company.
The GOP legacy is entering a highly crowded race and will compete against at least half a dozen Republicans in the primary race next June.
He will also face off against several legacy Democrats, including Angus King III and Hannah Pingree have entered the race.
Angus King IIIÂ
Angus King III is the son of Maine senator and former governor Angus King Jr., an independent who caucuses with Democrats. He is running for the highly sought after gubernatorial seat on a platform of ‘building a better Maine’
Angus King III is the son of Maine senator and former governor Angus King Jr., an independent who caucuses with Democrats.
King is running for the highly sought after gubernatorial seat on a platform of ‘building a better Maine.’
He wants to grow the state’s economy, combat the cost-of-living crisis and make it ‘easier to start and grow a small business,’ the Maine Morning Star reported.
King has praised his father for teaching him important political lessons, including how politics can have a ‘huge and positive impact on people’s lives.’Â
He has seemingly dismissed the nepotism baby stigma, likening it to when a athlete’s child pursues the same sport.
‘You still have to grind it out in the corner. There’s no real advantage from the name on the back of your jersey,’ he told NBC News.
He did admit that one of the advantages of having a politician father is learning from his leading example of integrity and commitment to service. Â
Hannah PingreeÂ
Former Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree (pictured with her family) is among the Democrats vying to be the state’s next governor
Former Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree is among the Democrats vying to be the state’s next governor.
Pingree, the daughter of US Rep. Chellie Pingree, officially launched her campaign in June after months of speculation about her possible candidacy.
In her campaign announcement, Pingree said her vision for the state’s future was ‘rooted in economic opportunity, climate resilience, affordable housing and health care, and strong, connected communities.’Â
Pingree recently left her role as head of Gov. Janet Mills’ Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. Before that she served four terms in the Maine Legislature.
Her mother Chellie said it has been both ‘heart-warming and terrifying’ to see her daughter follow in her footsteps.
She told NBC News that she played no role in Pingree’s bid for governor, saying: ‘She’s got her own political experiences, and this was a decision she had to make on her own with her family.’
Jack KingstonÂ
Jim Kingston, a businessman who has never run for or held office, but is looking to snatch his father’s former congressional seat in Georgia. He raised more than $500,000 for his campaign within just one week of announcing his bid for office
Jim Kingston, the son of former Congressman Jack Kingston, is campaigning to take over his father’s old House seat in Georgia.
Kingston announced his candidacy for the state’s 1st Congressional District in June this year.
He quickly met with support from old-guard Coastal Georgia Republicans who showered him with hundreds of thousands of dollars within weeks of his campaign announcement, according to The Current GA.
Although Kingston has never previously run for or held office, his father held the very congressional seat he is seeking for 22 years.Â
The insurance executive, who touts being a Senior Vice President for a Fortune 500 company, has highlighted on his candidate bio how he ‘spent much of his adult life in politics helping conservative Republican candidates in Georgia as a volunteer and fundraiser.’
