Political Progeny Make Tracks to Follow in Famous Footsteps

Joseph Kennedy, who claimed the Massachusetts congressional seat once held by his uncle, John F. Kennedy, was the most famous political offspring to win election Tuesday, but he was not the only one.

Democrat Evan Bayh, son of former three-term Sen. Birch Bayh, won the secretary of state’s race in Indiana. Bayh defeated another famous son, Robert O. Bowen, whose father is former Gov. Otis R. Bowen.

In Alabama, Jim Folsom Jr., son of former Gov. James E. Folsom, was elected lieutenant governor. George Wallace Jr., son of the retiring governor, was unopposed in the general election for state treasurer.

In Georgia, Martin Luther King III, son of the slain civil rights leader, was elected to the Fulton County Commission.

In Arizona, John J. Rhodes III, son of former U.S. House Minority Leader John J. Rhodes, was elected to Congress as a Republican from the state’s 1st District.

Incumbent Atty. Gen. Hubert H. Humphrey III, son of the late Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, won a second term in Minnesota.

Mixed Blessing

For some families, the returns were a mixed blessing, including the Kennedys. While Joseph Kennedy, son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, was winning in Massachusetts, his sister, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, lost a congressional race in Maryland.

And in Rhode Island, Lincoln Chafee, son of Republican Sen. John H. Chafee, was elected to the Warwick City Council, while his brother, Zechariah Chafee, lost a bid for state representative.

Some children tried in vain to follow in a parent’s footsteps.

In Wyoming, K. C. Thomson failed in his bid to succeed his mother, retiring Secretary of State Thyra Thomson, who had held the office since 1962.

In Kansas, voters denied Democratic Lt. Gov. Tom Docking election to governor, a post that had been held by both his father and grandfather.