February 15, 2010: In a surprising move, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) announced that he does not plan to seek reelection. Bayh follows several other Democratic senators who will not be running again this year, but is also among those whose tenure in Congress is a part of the family legacy. TPM takes a look at some of the family ties in play in the upcoming 2010 elections.

Above, a young Evan Bayh is pictured with his father, former Sen. Birch Bayh, who was elected in 1962.

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Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) with his brothers and father, Thomas Dodd, who served as Connecticut Senator from 1959-1971.

Photo courtesy of Sen. Chris Dodd’s office

Vice President Joe Biden with his two sons (L-R) Beau and Hunter shortly after meeting his current wife, Jill. Beau recently declared that he would not run for his father’s former Senate seat in Delaware, opting to instead run for re-election for state attorney general.

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Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) also announced that, after 16 years, he does not plan to run for Congress again. Kennedy’s resignation will leave Capitol Hill without a Kennedy for the first time in decades, marking an end to a fabled political family legacy.

Above, a young Patrick Kennedy is pictured with his father, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

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Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and her brother Mitch Landrieu on February 6, 2010, the night of his victory in the New Orleans mayoral race. Their father, Maurice Edwin “Moon” Landrieu, was the mayor of New Orleans from 1970-1978.

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California Attorney General Jerry Brown (D), left, holds up a campaign sign for his father, Edmund G. “Pat” Brown from when the elder Brown ran for attorney general 50 years ago. Jerry Brown, the former California governor, is making a run for the Governor’s mansion again.

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Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), a candidate for MO-Senate, and his son Matt, the former Governor of Missouri.

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Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL), a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Florida, and his mother, former Rep. Carrie P. Meek (D-FL).

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Former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN) (left), a potential candidate for NY-Senate, and his father, former Rep. Harold Ford Sr. (D-TN) (right).

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Chris Cox, Republican candidate for Congress in New York, and his grandfather, President Richard M. Nixon.

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Rory Reid, Democratic candidate for Nevada Governor, and his father, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D).

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Former Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-SC) celebrates his 100th birthday with his son Paul (second from right), a Republican candidate for Congress in South Carolina.

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Former Rep. Duncan Hunter Sr., (R-CA) (top)was succeed by his son, Duncan Hunter, Jr. (R) (below, far left), as the Representative for California’s 52nd district

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Former Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) (left) and his son, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD)

Photo by Taylor Davidson

Former Gov. Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and his daughter, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

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Former Sen. Wallace Bennett (R-UT) and his son, Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT).

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Former Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) and his son Pete Dominici, Jr., a Republican candidate for New Mexico Governor.

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Fmr. Vice President Dan Quayle with his wife, Marilyn, and their son, Ben, a Republican candidate for Congress in Arizona.

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Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) and his son Rand (left), a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Kentucky.

cc: Gage_Skidmore