William Powers is a clueless senator whose career is actually run by his manipulative wife Margaret, his smart chief of staff (and mistress) Jordan, and his political aide Bradley. At home, the senator also has to contend with his fussy daughter Caitlyn and her suicidal husband Theodore, who happens to be in love with the Powers' bumbling maid Charlotte. The arrival of the senator's illegitimate daughter, Sophie Lipkin, in the middle of a tough re-election campaign causes consternation for everyone, but Sophie ends up bonding quickly with her father and becomes an important part of his life and his workplace.