From 'Idol' to 'Apocalypse': 10 Candidate Connections That May Surprise You

(Oct. 26) -- Don't know squat about many of this year's elections contenders? You may find yourself more familiar with some of their friends and family. Plus: Full 2010 Elections Coverage

1. Joe DioGuardi, the GOP candidate in New York's special election Senate race, is the father of former "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi.

Linda McMahon, Vince McMahon with Triple H

2. Alex Sink, the Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate, is the great-granddaughter of Chang Bunker, of the famed Siamese twins Chang and Eng.

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3. Linda McMahon, the Republican contender for the Senate in Connecticut, is married to WWE Chairman of the Board and CEO Vince McMahon. She stepped down as the company's CEO last year.

Andrew Cuomo, Mario Cuomo, Chris Cuomo and Sandra Lee

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4. Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic candidate for governor in New York, is not only the son of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo and brother of ABC's "20/20" correspondent Chris Cuomo, but he is also dating Food Network celebrity chef Sandra Lee.

John Hickenlooper, George Hickenlooper and poster for 'Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse'

5. John Hickenlooper, Colorado's Democratic candidate for governor, is the cousin of the late George Hickenlooper, an accomplished film director with credits including "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse," the internationally acclaimed documentary about the making of "Apocalypse Now." George Hickenlooper died at 47 three days before Election Day while visiting his cousin John in Denver.

Ron Widen, Nancy Bass Widen and the Strand bookstore

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6. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is married to Nancy Bass Wyden, the co-owner of New York's Strand Bookstore.

7. Rand Paul, Kentucky's Republican candidate for the Senate, is the son of GOP Rep. Ron Paul, who is up for re-election in Texas' 14th congressional district.

Richard Burr, Rev. David Horace Burr and Aaron Burr

AP/ U.S. Senate

8. Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina is the son of the Rev. David Horace Burr, who claims he is a 12th cousin of Aaron Burr, the former vice president who killed Founding Father Alexander Hamilton in an 1804 duel.

9. Christine O'Donnell, Delaware's Republican and tea party candidate for the Senate, is the daughter of Daniel O'Donnell, a TV actor who once played Bozo the Clown.

10. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., is the son of former NPR President Douglas Bennet and brother of Atlantic magazine editor-in-chief James Bennet.

These and other connections surfaced as Politics Daily answered a series of biographical questions about top candidates, using reporters from AOL's Seed network.