Candidate selection practices rooted in kinship and traditional social ties can lead to elite capture, undermining democratic governance. This study examines how incumbency strengthens kinship networks within local political institutions, using data from municipal council elections in Turkey. Our regression discontinuity design reveals that incumbency significantly enhances the role of family networks, particularly in regions with lower educational attainment. Drawing on data from an expansive survey of candidates and households, we find that education plays a key role in weakening the grip of kinship politics, as it shapes political self-efficacy and aspirations differently for those within and outside kinship networks. This divergence limits the pool of non-kinship candidates in less educated areas, perpetuating a cycle of poor governance. Our findings highlight the critical role of education in disrupting this cycle, contributing to discussions on political dynasties and modernization.