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Family ties can be a candidate’s blessing or curse

FILE - This Oct. 12, 2014, file photo shows former President Jimmy Carter with his grandson, Georgia Democratic candidate for governor Jason Carter at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. On the midterm election campaign trail, Jason Carter, who’s challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Nathan Deal, has the most high-profile relative, and has had to answer for several of his grandfather’s comments and positions. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)
FILE - This Oct. 12, 2014, file photo shows former President Jimmy Carter with his grandson, Georgia Democratic candidate for governor Jason Carter at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. On the midterm election campaign trail, Jason Carter, who’s challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Nathan Deal, has the most high-profile relative, and has had to answer for several of his grandfather’s comments and positions. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File) FILE - This Oct. 12, 2014, file photo shows former President Jimmy Carter with his grandson, Georgia Democratic candidate for governor Jason Carter at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. On the midterm election campaign trail, Jason Carter, who’s challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Nathan Deal, has the most high-profile relative, and has had to answer for several of his grandfather’s comments and positions. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)

By Associated Press 4 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Ah, the family. They can be a candidate’s sounding board, worthy surrogates and an attractive image for a television ad.

Or they can be a massive headache to rival any uncomfortable Thanksgiving dinner.

In Arkansas, former Sen. David Pryor and his wife, Barbara, campaign for son Mark, the incumbent Democratic senator, while onetime elected officials – Georgia’s Sam Nunn, Florida’s Bob Graham and Louisiana’s Moon Landrieu – are lending a hand to their daughters.

Gwen Graham is seeking a House seat in northern Florida, Michelle Nunn is running for the Senate and Mary Landrieu is pursuing a fourth Senate term. The presence of their fathers, whether in campaign ads or on the trail, is a reminder to older voters, crucial in low-turnout midterm elections, of the Southern Democrats of the past.

Family also can be about the future.