Quayle family
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAn American political family with roots in Indiana, a long association with newspaper publishing, and prominent representation in national and Arizona politics.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The Quayle family is an American political family associated principally with Indiana and Arizona. Its best-known member is James Danforth Quayle, who represented Indiana in Congress and served as the 44th vice president of the United States from 1989 to 1993 under President George H. W. Bush. His wife, Marilyn Tucker Quayle, served as second lady during the same period and maintained a public profile as a lawyer, author, political adviser, and advocate for breast-cancer awareness. Their son Benjamin Eugene Quayle later represented Arizona's 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. The family's background also connects it to the Pulliam newspaper dynasty. Dan Quayle's maternal grandfather, Eugene C. Pulliam, built Central Newspapers, Inc., and owned major Indiana and Arizona newspapers including The Indianapolis Star and The Arizona Republic. Pulliam's publishing activities helped establish a durable family presence in both states and contributed to the family's political and civic influence. The Quayle family's Indiana origins were reinforced by Dan Quayle's upbringing and education there, while the family's later business and political base became strongly associated with Arizona. Dan Quayle entered electoral politics in 1976 by defeating incumbent Democratic representative J. Edward Roush in Indiana. After two terms in the House, he won election to the United States Senate in 1980 and secured reelection in 1986. In 1988, George H. W. Bush selected him as his vice-presidential running mate. The Republican ticket defeated Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen, and Quayle served in the vice presidency from January 20, 1989, through January 20, 1993. The Bush–Quayle ticket lost its 1992 reelection campaign to Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Quayle later considered another presidential campaign and sought the Republican nomination in 2000, but did not become the party's nominee. Marilyn Quayle was an important adviser and campaign surrogate during her husband's political career. As second lady, she combined ceremonial duties with family and policy interests, including work related to early breast-cancer detection. She also co-wrote the thriller Embrace the Serpent with her sister Nancy. The couple's children include Tucker Quayle, twins Benjamin and Corinne Quayle, and other descendants of the wider family network described in the family history. Benjamin Quayle worked as a lawyer and founded a security company before entering electoral politics. He won the 2010 Republican primary for Arizona's 3rd congressional district and then won the general election. Following redistricting, he lost a Republican primary challenge in 2012 to fellow Representative David Schweikert. Other connected family members include publishing executives Eugene C. Pulliam and Eugene S. Pulliam, journalist Myrta Pulliam, and members of the Pulliam family who helped operate Central Newspapers. The family is also represented institutionally by the Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center in Huntington, Indiana. Originally opened in 1993 as the Dan Quayle Center and Museum, the facility presents material on the vice presidency, Dan Quayle's career, and related historical memorabilia. Although the family's principal contemporary residence is described as Paradise Valley, Arizona, some relatives remain connected to Indiana. The family is best understood as a political and publishing dynasty rather than a commercial consumer brand.
History
The Quayle family's documented roots are in Indiana, while its modern public identity spans Indiana and Arizona. The family name traces through Dan Quayle's paternal ancestry to the Isle of Man. Dan Quayle was born in Indianapolis to James C. Quayle and Martha Corinne Pulliam. In 1955, James Quayle moved the family to Arizona to manage an Arizona branch of the Pulliam publishing interests, helping establish the family's long-term connection to the state. The family's commercial and civic prominence developed through the Pulliam newspaper enterprise. Eugene C. Pulliam founded Central Newspapers, Inc., and acquired or controlled numerous newspapers, including The Arizona Republic and The Indianapolis Star. His newspapers expanded their circulation and influence under a conservative editorial and civic orientation. After Eugene C. Pulliam died in 1975, his widow and son continued operating the publishing group. Eugene S. Pulliam became publisher of The Indianapolis Star and retained that role until his death in 1999. Central Newspapers' Indianapolis history included the acquisition of The Indianapolis Star in 1944 and The Indianapolis News in 1948. The two papers combined business, mechanical, advertising, and circulation operations while maintaining separate editorial and news departments for many years. Their newsrooms later merged in 1995, and The Indianapolis News ceased publication in 1999, leaving The Indianapolis Star as Indianapolis's principal major daily newspaper. In Arizona, the Phoenix Gazette was closed in 1997 and its staff joined The Arizona Republic. These developments formed part of the publishing legacy connected by marriage to the Quayle family. Dan Quayle began his political career in 1976 with an upset victory over Democratic incumbent J. Edward Roush in Indiana's congressional elections. He won reelection and then moved to the Senate after defeating Birch Bayh in 1980. His 1986 reelection was also successful. In 1988, George H. W. Bush selected him as his running mate. Their victory made Dan Quayle vice president from 1989 through 1993. During the administration, Marilyn Quayle acted as a close adviser and campaign participant while carrying out the public responsibilities of second lady. The family lived at Number One Observatory Circle, the official residence of the vice-presidential household. The Republican ticket's defeat in 1992 ended Quayle's vice-presidential tenure. He considered seeking the presidency in 1996 and entered the Republican nomination contest in 2000, but his later presidential ambitions did not result in a nomination. His political career nevertheless gave the family its most visible national profile. The next generation included Benjamin Quayle, who practiced law and founded a security company before winning election to Congress from Arizona in 2010. He served one term and lost a 2012 Republican primary after redistricting. The wider family includes Tucker and Corinne Quayle, as well as members of the Pulliam family involved in newspaper publishing and journalism. Myrta Pulliam received a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting connected to a series on police corruption and ineffective law enforcement in Indianapolis. The family's public legacy is preserved in part at the Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center in Huntington, Indiana. Opened in 1993 in a renovated former church, the center includes exhibits on U.S. vice presidents, Quayle memorabilia, and educational programming. Its name was changed from the Dan Quayle Center and Museum to the Dan Quayle Center, home of the United States Vice Presidential Museum, in 2002, and later to the Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center in 2008. The family is described as currently based primarily in Paradise Valley, Arizona, with continuing Indiana connections.
- 2012
Benjamin Quayle loses reelection primary
[1]After redistricting, Quayle lost a Republican primary challenge to David Schweikert.
- 2010
Benjamin Quayle enters Congress
[1]Benjamin Quayle won election to represent Arizona's 3rd congressional district.
- 1999
The Indianapolis News ceases publication
[1]The Indianapolis News ended publication, leaving The Indianapolis Star as the city's major daily newspaper.
- 1997
The Phoenix Gazette closes
[1]The Phoenix Gazette ceased publication and its staff joined The Arizona Republic.
- 1995
Indianapolis newspaper newsrooms merge
[1]The newsrooms of The Indianapolis Star and The Indianapolis News were merged as part of the newspapers' later consolidation.
- 1993
Quayle vice-presidential learning facility opens
[1]The Dan Quayle Center and Museum opened in Huntington, Indiana, on June 17 and was formally dedicated on October 16.
- 1989
Dan and Marilyn Quayle enter the vice-presidential household
[1]Dan Quayle became vice president and Marilyn Quayle became second lady after the Bush–Quayle inauguration.
- 1980
Dan Quayle wins a U.S. Senate seat
[1]Quayle defeated incumbent Democratic senator Birch Bayh in a Republican landslide year.
- 1976
Dan Quayle enters the House of Representatives
[1]Dan Quayle defeated incumbent Democrat J. Edward Roush and began his elected political career.
- 1955
James C. Quayle moves the family to Arizona
[1]James C. Quayle relocated his family to Arizona to manage part of the Pulliam publishing interests.
Products and positioning
A politically prominent American family whose public identity combines national Republican politics, Arizona and Indiana civic connections, and a historic newspaper-publishing legacy.
Brand decisions
2008
The family learning facility adopts its current nameStrategyBackground
The institution associated with Dan Quayle's vice-presidential legacy underwent several naming changes after its 1993 opening.
Action taken
Its board changed the name to the Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center.
Aftermath
The center continued operating as an educational and historical venue in Huntington, Indiana.
2000
Dan Quayle seeks the Republican presidential nominationOtherBackground
After considering a presidential run in 1996, Quayle entered the Republican nomination contest for the 2000 election.
Action taken
He campaigned for the nomination but did not become the Republican candidate.
Aftermath
The attempt marked the end of the family's directly documented national electoral ambitions at the presidential level.
1988
George H. W. Bush selects Dan Quayle as running mateOtherBackground
The Republican presidential campaign selected Quayle to join the 1988 ticket, bringing a relatively young Indiana senator into the national campaign.
Action taken
Bush and Quayle campaigned together and won the presidential election against Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen.
Aftermath
Quayle served as vice president from 1989 to 1993 and became the family's most nationally prominent political figure.
Sources1 sources
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