12 times lawmakers were replaced by their relatives in Congress

By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter Monday, August 03, 2026

Pop artist Cher (left) and former Rep. Mary Bono (righ) attend the 23rd GLAAD Media Awards on April 22, 2012. | Wikimedia Commons/DVSROSS https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=mary+bono&title=Special%3AMediaSearch&type=image

1. Former Rep. Mary Bono, R-Calif.

After the 1998 death of the late entertainer-turned-lawmaker, Rep. Sonny Bono, R-Calif., his widow, Mary, won a special election later that year to finish his term.

Mary Bono was reelected seven times, lost reelection in 2012, and left office when the 112th U.S. Congress ended in early 2013.

Sonny Bono, who rose to pop and entertainment fame in the 1960s as part of the legendary duo Sonny & Cher, married his fourth wife, Mary, in 1986.

Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com

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