For these elected officials politics is in their DNA

Political succession has been a part of the commonwealth since its founding; at least two of the 17 children of Pennsylvania founder and namesake William Penn held leadership roles in the colony – sons John and Thomas were both 18th-century proprietors of Pennsylvania. In the centuries that have followed, the commonwealth has seen its fair share of dynastic families. The 19th century brought the Scrantons, starting with paterfamilias George, a Republican Congressman whose descendants include another member of Congress, a Pennsylvania governor and a lieutenant governor, as well as the Camerons (father Simon and son J. Donald, both 19th-century U.S. senators and war secretaries). 

Decades past brought families like the Greens (Bill Green Jr., a mid-century Congressman and state Democratic power broker, Bill Green III, also a Congressman and a Philadelphia mayor, and Bill Green IV, who served as a member of Philadelphia City Council), and the Ravenstahls (Robert Ravenstahl was a state representative, his son Robert Jr. is a magisterial district judge, and Robert Jr.’s sons Luke and Adam were a state representative and Pittsburgh mayor, respectively). 

And today, these political families continue the tradition:

Milton, John and Sharif Street

For nearly 50 years, the Streets have been a fixture in Philadelphia-area Democratic politics. The first of the family to hold office was the late Milton Street, who served in the state House and Senate. Milton’s brother, John, was a two-term Philadelphia mayor and served nearly two decades in Philadelphia City Council, including as its president, playing a pivotal role in the city's financial turnaround. John's son, Sharif, a vocal champion of cannabis legalization, currently chairs the Pennsylvania Democratic Party – the first person of color to do so – and has represented his Philadelphia district in the state Senate since 2017.

Hardy Williams and Anthony Hardy Williams

Nearly as familiar to Philadelphians are the Williams, also Democrats. The late Hardy Williams represented Pennsylvania's 8th state Senate District for 15 years, retiring in 1998 to make way for his son, Anthony Hardy Williams. Then a state representative, the younger Williams has held that Senate seat ever since and also chairs Philadelphia Democratic United Ward Leaders of Color.

Ryan and Milou Mackenzie

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie and state Rep. Milou Mackenzie may not be serving in the same legislative body anymore, but the Lehigh Valley lawmakers made history in 2021 when they became the first mother-son duo to serve together in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Ryan has since traded Harrisburg for Washington, D.C., where he represents the state’s 7th Congressional District, while Milou continues to represent the 131st state House District. 

Jay Sr., Jay Jr., Paul and Dom Costa

Pennsylvania's current state Senate minority leader, attorney Jay Costa, has led his party in the chamber since 2010. He is part of a Pittsburgh Democratic political clan that includes his late father, Jay Costa Sr., a onetime Allegheny County treasurer. It also includes Jay Costa Jr.’s brother, accountant Paul Costa, and their cousin, Dominic Costa, a former Pittsburgh Police chief; both served in the state House of Representatives – Paul representing Pennsylvania's 34th district, Dom its 21st – until progressive primary challengers ended their respective political careers in 2018.