List Of U.s. Political Families

During its history the United States has seen many families who have repeatedly produced notable politicians from their ranks, and these historic U.S. political families have had a significant impact on politics in the United States. Many of these families have moved to national prominence from a state or regional power base. The Kennedys, for example, are particularly associated with Massachusetts; the Long family is identified with Louisiana, the Lees with Virginia, the Roosevelts with New York, and the Tafts with Ohio. Other political families are less connected with a specific state; the Bush family began in Connecticut, but is now more closely identified with Texas, and a member of the family is the governor of Florida. Kennedy family member Maria Shriver's husband Arnold Schwarzenegger is now governor of California. See also Political families of the world.

Families

Here are some of the more notable families visible on a national level:

The Adamses

Main article: Adams political family
  • Samuel Adams, (1722–1803), organizer of the Boston Tea Party and signatory of the Declaration of Independence.
    • Joseph Allen, {1749–1827), U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, 1810–1811; nephew of Samuel Adams.
      • Charles Allen, (1797–1869), U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, 1849–1853; son of Joseph Allen.
  • John Adams, (1735–1826), first Vice President (1789–1797) and second President (1791–1801) of the United States; second cousin of Samuel Adams.
    • John Quincy Adams, (1767–1848), U.S. senator from Massachusetts, 1803–1808; U.S. Secretary of State, 1817–1825; sixth President, 1825–1829, and the first who was the son of a President; son of John Adams.
      • Charles Francis Adams, (1807–1886), U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, 1859–1861; U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, 1861–1868;, son of John Quincy Adams.

The Bayhs

Main article: Bayh family

The Blairs

The Borens

Main Article: Boren family

The Browns

Main article: Brown family (The Browns are not related to Willie Brown, former Mayor of San Francisco, California and former Speaker of the California State Assembly.)

The Bushes

Main article: Bush family

The Byrds and Floods

  • Henry D. Flood (1865–1921), U.S. Representative from Virginia, 19011921.
  • Joel W. Flood (1894–1964), U.S. Representative from Virginia, 1932–1933; brother of Henry D. Flood and uncle of Harry Byrd Sr.
    • Harry F. Byrd Sr. (1887–1966), Governor of Virginia, 19261930; Vice Chair of the Democratic Party, 1929; candidate for Democratic nomination for President, 1932; U.S. Senator from Virginia, 1933–1965; nominee for President of the States Rights Party, 1956; received 15 electoral votes for President, 1960; nephew of Henry D. Flood and Joel West Flood, father of Harry Byrd, Jr.
      • Harry F. Byrd Jr. (b.1914), U.S. Senator from Virginia, 1965–1983; son of Harry F. Byrd Sr.
(The Virginia Byrds are not related to Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia)

The Carnahans

The Carrolls

The Carrolls of Maryland were a very active family during the early history of the United States

The Celebrezzes

The Churches and Clarks

The Clintons and Rodhams

The Cornings

The Crowninshields

Main article: Crowninshield family

The Cuomos

Main article: Cuomo Family

The D'Alesandros

The Daleys

Main article: Daley family Two members of the Daley family served as Mayor of Chicago, between them ruling the city for more than a third of a century.

The DeWines

The Dingells

The Dodds

The Doles

  • Bob Dole (b. 1923), U.S. Representative from Kansas, 1961–1969; U.S. Senator from Kansas, 1969–1997; Chairman of Republican National Committee, 1971–1973; Republican nominee for Vice President, 1976; candidate for Republican nomination for President, 1980 and 1988; Republican nominee for President, 1996.
  • Elizabeth Dole (b. 1936), U.S. Secretary of Transportation, 1983–1987; U.S. Secretary of Labor, 1989–1990; candidate for Republican nomination for President, 2000; U.S. Senator from North Carolina, 2003-; wife of Bob Dole.

The Dulleses

Main article: Dulles family

The du Ponts

Main article: du Pont family; also see du Pont company The du Pont immigrant to the United States, Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739–1817) was deputy of the Third Estate to the Estates-General of 1789 for the region of Nemours in France. The du Pont political dynasty is based on the family's manufacturing empire in Delaware.

The Eisenhowers

Main article: Eisenhower family

The Feltons

Main article: Felton family

The Frelinghuysens

The Fergusons

The Gilligans and the Sebeliuses

Main articles: Gilligan family and Sebelius family

The Gores

Main article: Gore family Writer Gore Vidal has asserted that his grandfather, Thomas Pryor Gore, was related to the Al Gores of Tennessee, but no such relationship has been proven.

The Hagans

The Harlans

The Harrisons

Main article: Harrison family The Harrisons are related by marriage to the Lees, Washingtons, and Randolphs of Virginia.
  • Benjamin Harrison V (1726–1791), delegate to the Continental Congress from Virginia, 1774; signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, 1776; Governor of Virginia, 1782–1784.
    • Carter Bassett Harrison (1758–1808), U.S. Representative from Virginia, 1793–1799; son of Benjamin V and brother of William Henry.
    • William Henry Harrison (1773–1841), Governor of Indiana Territory, 1801–1812; U.S. Representative from Ohio, 1816–1819; U.S. Senator from Ohio, 1825–1828; U.S. Minister to Gran Colombia, 1828–1829; Whig party nominee for President, 1836; 9th President, 1841; son of Benjamin Harrison V, brother of Carter Bassett Harrison, cousin of Beverly Randolph.
      • John Scott Harrison (1804–1878), U.S. Representative from Ohio, 1853–1857; son of William Henry Harrison.
        • Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901), general in the Union Army during Civil War; U.S. Senator from Indiana, 1881–1887; 23rd President, 1889–1893; grandson of William Henry Harrison the elder and son of John Scott Harrison, grandfather of William Henry Harrison the younger.
            • William Henry Harrison (1896–1990), U.S. Representative from Wyoming, 1951–1955 and 1961–1965 and 1967–1969; grandson of Benjamin Harrison.
    • Beverly Randolph (1754–1797), Governor of Virginia, 1788–1791; nephew of Benjamin Harrison V.
    • Burwell Bassett (1764–1841), U.S. Representative from Virginia, first cousin of William Henry Harrison and nephew by marriage of George Washington.
      • Carter Henry Harrison (1825–1893), U.S. Representative from Illinois, 1875–1879; Mayor of Chicago, 1879–1887 and in 1893; first cousin (once removed) to Carter Bassett and William Henry Harrison, father of Carter Henry Harrison II.

The Hearsts

The Hiesters and Muhlenbergs

Main article: Hiester Family/Muhlenberg Family

The Houghtons

The Houghtons are heirs to the Corning glass fortune.

The Humphreys

  • Hubert H. Humphrey Jr. (1911–1978), mayor of Minneapolis, 1945–1948; U.S. Senator from Minnesota, 1949–1964 and 1971–1978; 38th Vice President, 1965–1969; candidate for Democratic nomination for President, 1960 and 1972; Democratic nominee for President, 1968.
  • Muriel Humphrey (1912–1998), appointed to the U.S. Senate upon Hubert Jr.'s death in 1978 to complete his term; wife of Hubert Humphrey Jr.
    • Hubert H. "Skip" Humphrey III (b. 1942), attorney general of Minnesota, 1983–1999, candidate for governor, 1998; son of Hubert and Muriel Humphrey.

The Hutchinsons

The Johnsons

  • Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–1973), U.S. Representative from Texas, 1937–1941 and 1942–1949; U.S. Senator from Texas, 1948–1961; Senate Majority Leader, 1954–1961; Vice President, 1961–1963; 36th President, 1963–1969; father-in-law of Charles S. Robb.

The Kennedys

Main article: Kennedy family Some commentators in the early 1960s made predictions that President John F. Kennedy would be first of a dynasty in the White House, but these predictions were not borne out, and the idea largely dropped off the public's radar after Robert Kennedy was assassinated in 1968 and Edward Kennedy was involved in a drunk-driving incident (in which a passenger in his car was killed) in 1969. However, a number of Kennedy family members have held high office since then. The Kennedys have also made marriages with political figures:

The La Follettes

Main article: La Follette family
  • Robert M. La Follette, Sr. (1855–1925), U.S. Representative from Wisconsin, 1885–1891; Governor of Wisconsin, 1901–1906; U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, 1906–1925; candidate for Republican nomination for President, 1908 and 1916; Progressive Party nominee for President, 1924; father of Robert Jr. and Philip.
    • Robert M. La Follette, Jr. (1895–1953), U.S Senator from Wisconsin, 1925–1947; son of Robert Sr. and brother of Philip.
    • Philip F. La Follette (1897–1965), Governor of Wisconsin, 1931–1933 and 1935–1939; son of Robert Sr. and brother of Robert Jr.

The Landrieus

The Lees

Main article: Lee family The Lees of Virginia are related by marriage to the Washingtons, Randolphs, and Harrisons, as well as other prominent political families:

The Levins

  • Theodore Levin (1897–1970), federal judge; father of Charles and Joseph.
    • Charles Levin (b. 1926), justice of Michigan State Supreme Court, 1973–1996; son of Theodore.
    • Joseph Levin (b. ?), candidate for U.S. representative from Michigan; son of Theodore and brother of Charles.
  • Saul Levin (?-?), U.S. Ambassador to Honduras; brother of Theodore.
    • Carl Levin (b. 1934), U.S. senator from Michigan, 1979-; son of Saul and brother of Sander.
    • Sander Levin (b. 1931), U.S. representative from Michigan, 1983–2003; son of Saul and brother of Carl.

The Lodges and Cabots

The Cabots and Lodges were relatives by marriage of the Adams family.
  • George Cabot (1752–1823), U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, 1791–1796.
        • Henry Cabot Lodge (1850–1924), U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, 1887–1893; U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, 1893–1924; great-grandson of George Cabot.
            • Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. (1902–1985), U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, 1937–1944 and 1947–1953; Colonel in the Army during World War II; Ambassador to the UN, 1953–1960; Republican nominee for Vice President, 1960; Ambassador to Vietnam, 1963–1964 and 1965–1967; Ambassador to Germany, 1968–1969; candidate for the Republican nomination for President in 1964; grandson of Henry Cabot Lodge and brother of John Davis Lodge.
            • John Davis Lodge (1903–1985), professional actor, 1933–1940; U.S. Representative from Connecticut, 1947–1951; governor of Connecticut, 1951–1955; U.S Ambassador to Spain, 1955–1961; Ambassador to Argentina, 1969–1973; Ambassador to Switzerland, 1983–1985; grandson of Henry Cabot Lodge and brother of Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

The Longs

Main article: Long family
  • George Long (1883–1958), U.S. Representative from Louisiana, 1953–1958; brother of Huey Long and Earl Long.
  • Huey Long (1893–1935), Governor of Louisiana, 1928–1932; U.S. Senator from Louisiana, 1932–1935; assassinated in 1935; husband of Rose McConnell Long, brother of George and Earl Long.
  • Rose McConnell Long (1892–1970), U.S. senator from Louisiana, 1936–1937; wife of Huey Long.
    • Russell B. Long (b. 1918), U.S. senator from Louisiana, 1948–1987; son of Huey and Rose Long.
  • Earl Long (1895–1960), Governor of Louisiana, 1939–1940, 1948–1952, 1956–1960; brother of Huey and George Long.
    • Gillis Long (1923–1985), U.S. Representative from Louisiana, 1963–1965 and 1973–1985; cousin of Russell and Speedy Long, husband of Catherine.
    • Catherine Small Long (b. 1924), U.S. Representative from Louisiana, 1985–1987; wife of Gillis Long.
    • Speedy Oteria Long (b. 1928), U.S. Representative from Louisiana, 1965–1973; cousin of Gillis and Russell Long.

The Metzenbaums and Hyatts

The Murkowskis

Main article: Murkowski family
  • Frank Murkowski (b. 1933), U.S Senator from Alaska, 1981–2002; Governor of Alaska, 2002-; father of Lisa Murkowski.
    • Lisa Murkowski (b. 1957), Alaska state representative; U.S. senator from Alaska, 2002-; daughter of Frank.

The Peckhams

The Popes

''Main article: Pope family The following are members of the Pope family in no particular order:
  • William Pope Duval, (17841854), first governor of Florida Territory.
  • John Pope, (1770–1845), brother of Nathaniel, U.S. Senator from Kentucky, Governor of Arkansas Territory, U.S. Representative from Kentucky
  • Nathaniel Pope, (1784–1850), brother of John, Delegate and Secretary of Illinois Territory, U.S. District judge in Illinois.
    • John Pope(1822–1892), son of Nathaniel, U.S. Soldier, Union General in the Civil War.
    • Daniel Pope Cook, (1794–1827), nephew of Nathaniel and John, newspaper editor, Attorney General and U.S. Representative from Illinois

The Powells

Main article: Powell family

The Riffes

The Rockefellers and Aldriches

Main article: Rockefeller family
  • William Aldrich (1820–1885), U.S. Representative from Illinois, 1877–1883; cousin of Nelson Aldrich and father of James Aldrich.
  • Nelson Aldrich (1841–1915), U.S. Representative from Rhode Island, 1879–1881; U.S. Senator from Rhode Island, 1881–1911. Cousin of William Aldrich and father of Richard Aldrich, grandfather of Nelson A. Rockefeller and Winthrop Rockefeller, great grandfather of John D. Rockefeller IV and Win Rockefeller.
    • Richard S. Aldrich (1884–1941), U.S. Representative from Rhode Island, 1923–1933; son of Nelson Aldrich, uncle of Nelson A. Rockefeller and Winthrop Rockefeller.
      • Nelson A. Rockefeller (1908–1979), Governor of New York, 1959–1973; candidate for Republican nomination for President, 1964 and 1968; Vice-President, 1974–1977; brother of Winthrop Rockefeller.
      • Winthrop Rockefeller (1912–1973), Governor of Arkansas, 1967–1971; brother of Nelson A. Rockefeller and father of Win Rockefeller.
        • Jay Rockefeller (John D. Rockefeller, IV) (b. 1937), Secretary of State of West Virginia, 1969–1972; Governor of West Virginia, 1977–1985; U.S. Senator from West Virginia, 1985-; great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller and nephew of Nelson Rockefeller.
      • Charles Percy (b. 1919), U.S. Senator from Illinois, 1967–1985; father-in-law of Jay Rockefeller.
        • Mark Dayton (b. 1947), U.S. Senator from Minnesota, 2001–2007; brother-in-law of Jay Rockefeller.
        • Win Rockefeller (b. 1948), Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas, 1999–2005; candidite for governor, 2006; son of Winthrop Rockefeller.

The Romneys

Main article: Romney family

The Roosevelts

Main article: Roosevelt family

The Sheppards and Macks

The Shrivers

The Stevensons

Main article: Stevenson family The Stevensons of Illinois have produced a number of important political figures:

The Talmadges

The Tafts

Main article: Taft family The relationship of Kingsley A. Taft (1903–1970), U.S. senator from Ohio, 1946–1947; justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, 1948–1970; to the rest of the Taft family is unclear.

The Udalls

Main article: Udall family The Udalls of Arizona are a politically notable family in the West, among them

The Van Rensselaers

The Van Rensselaers are a wealthy and politically notable family centered in Albany, New York.

See also

External references

  • [http://politicalgraveyard.com/families/index.html Leading Political Families

 

<< PreviousWord BrowserNext >>
heinrich christian schumacher
ry cooder
quincy jones
friedrich georg wilhelm von struve
the meaning of life
george peacock
johann franz encke
james mackintosh
in cold blood
ann coulter
eric brown
editorial cartoonist
hall caine
editorial cartoon
william stanley (elizabethan)
1922 in sports
list of meteor showers
elche
coat of arms of saskatchewan
baltimore colts
operation just cause
walter jon williams
zenithal hourly rate
robert parsons
saltire
nether stowey
point roberts, washington
daughter in a box
william dobbie
daughter in the box
fraser valley
list of building types
transport in europe
toronto stock exchange
bacterial gliding
enfuvirtide
tsx group
seattle pacific university
highway engineering
zane grey
roger macbride allen
stephen bourne
mary augusta ward
colossal squid