Father's Day for the Senate's ‘Legacy Caucus’

Senators Pryor
(Democrats - Arkansas)
David Pryor (1979-1997) and his son Mark Pryor (2003-Present)
"The three Pryor boys, we kind of grew up on the road in Arkansas, highways and bi-ways - going to fish fries, barbeques and political rallies," recalls Mark Pryor. His father, David, after serving in the House and as governor of Arkansas, won a Senate race in 1978. When the family returned to Washington, Mark attended Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda and started his own political career by getting elected student body president. But he pointed out that he never felt any pressure to follow in his father's footsteps: "That's the thing; my dad never really encouraged any of us to pursue politics. I think it is because he understood how hard it could be."

Like his father, after earning undergrad and law degrees from the University of Arkansas, he served in the Arkansas statehouse. He went on to be elected Arkansas attorney general, and then, in 2002, defeated Sen. Tim Hutchinson - the only incumbent Republican senator to lose that year.

Interestingly enough, he discussed how he had never set out to be in politics, saying, "I never really planned on doing this, you know, so it's kind of a surprise to me that I'm here." In the campaign Mark used his father's same campaign logo, and even ran a commercial promising to keep the same "Arkansas Comes First" plaque that his father had on his desk, should he make it to the Senate.  That's where it sits today.

Once elected, he found that his father's popularity continued to be an advantage for him. He explains his father's legacy, saying, "One thing that I figured out very, very early here, is that everybody loves David Pryor.  They all loved working with him.  They all remember him very fondly." And that, he says, includes not only senators, but staffers and the parking garage attendants.

He points out that the affection for his father isn't partisan: "All the Republicans that served with him, tell me how much they enjoyed knowing him, and ask why doesn't he come back." When asked if he had discussed the common bond he shares with colleagues who are also the children of former senators, he laughs, saying, "You mean the 'legacy caucus' as Evan Bayh calls it?” and then noting he hasn't had much occasion to do that.

Mark Pryor is most proud of the work his father did for seniors, including nursing home reform and prescription drug coverage. As for himself, he notes, "I was very insistent that I did not want to be on the Judiciary Committee, because I know the big ideological fights they have on Judiciary, especially on judicial nominations, so I just wanted to stay clear of that and focus on other things less controversial and more productive.  And, lo and behold, probably what I'm best known for is helping put together the 'Gang of 14'."

David was a strong supporter of his fellow Arkansan, Bill Clinton, and campaigned hard for him during the 1992 presidential race. When asked if he would support a Hillary Clinton presidential campaign in 2008, Mark Pryor responds, "I haven't decided, I have to look at the candidates," pointing out that about a dozen of his colleagues might run. 

As for the lessons he has learned from his father, "He's given me a lot of advice over the years, but probably his greatest advice to me has really not been in words but his example" of how he "loves public service, and sees politics as a service."

Chris Donovan, is an associate producer/senior researcher for NBC News, based in Washington, DC

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