12 times lawmakers were replaced by their relatives in Congress

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

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee speaks at an event in May 2014. | Public Domain/U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region

3. Former Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I.

When Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I., died in 1999, his son Lincoln was appointed to finish his term and won a full term in 2000.

Lincoln Chafee lost reelection in 2006, but returned to elected office in 2010 by winning Rhode Island's governorship as an independent.

He served one term, switched his party affiliation to Democrat while in office, then unsuccessfully sought the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in the 2016 presidential election.

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

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