Not every rookie political wannabe gets to have his campaign announcement on national TV.

But Ben Quayle, the latest Republican to jump into a crowded congressional primary in Arizona, is the son of former vice president Dan Quayle. So proud poppa did the honors during an interview on Fox News.

"The big news is my son Ben Quayle today filed his papers for congressman of the 3rd Congressional District here in Arizona," the former veep announced. That makes the younger Quayle the latest entrant in the race to succeed retiring Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz. A poll released yesterday showed state Sen. Jim Waring with a wide lead over six other contenders in the GOP primary.

But Dan Quayle, who served as No. 2 to President George H.W. Bush, is sunny about his son's chances. "We are convinced he will be successful," he said. The new congressional candidate can be seen in the shadow of his father's marble bust in the 2003 photo above. That's brother, Tucker, mugging at left.

The younger Quayle joins a flock of political progeny who are vying for office this year. Here's a story about them by our colleague Fredreka Schouten. But family connections aren't always a key to political success. A well-known name didn't help Ethan Hastert, son of former Houses speaker Denny Hastert, in this month's Illinois GOP congressional primary.

Primary day in Arizona is Aug. 24.

(Posted by Kathy Kiely)