Blood Thicker Than Party? Cousins Vie for Senate Seats

June 9, 2008 — -- With President Bush essentially a lame duck and Sen. Hillary Clinton's recent exit from the presidential race to replace him, the power of two of the most notable American political families would seem to be ebbing. The mantle of American political family is up for grabs, and the extended family tree of the Udalls of the West are in line.

They're a good pick, too. November could see three Udall cousins from three different Western states all sitting in the U.S. Senate at the same time. And it's a well-rounded choice for a modern-day American political family – they've got Republicans and Democrats, Mormons and people who don't affiliate with churches, plural marriage and professional basketball players.

It starts with Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., who is currently engaged in a heated contest for the state's open Senate seat. Mark is the son of former Arizona Congressman Mo Udall, who was a pro basketball player and Democratic presidential candidate in 1976. Mo had a brother named Stewart Udall, who served as Secretary of Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.

Stewart's son is New Mexico Congressman Tom Udall, who also happens to be running for New Mexico's open Senate seat as a Democrat.

Tom and Mark Udall grew up together and remain the best of friends, according to Mark, who said they vacation and climb mountains together and have the occasional informal caucus over a beer.

In the areas of New Mexico and Colorado that abut, they have adopted a campaign slogan that plays on their relationship: "Vote for the Udall nearest you."

If Mark and Tom both make it to the Senate, they might see another relative, but across the aisle.

Stewart and Mo Udall had a cousin Jessica Udall Smith via their father's brother. She had a son named Gordon Smith. And he's currently the Republican Senator from Oregon, seeking reelection.

"His grandfather and my grandfather were brothers. His grandmother and my grandmother were sisters … So his mom and my dad were double first cousins, which is beyond my genealogical expertise, but there is definitely a connection there," said Mark Udall recently.