His family is rich in politics and power and I think some contacts with the military. This is not some guy who fell off a farm or somethingo ut of no where. Michelle just helps complete him. Her name recognition won't hurt for s ure.
In Rhode Island, Clay Pell is as close as it comes to being an aristocrat. He is also a person of great individual accomplishment, as is evidenced by his fluency in several linguistically unrelated languages and his law degree as well as his military career. Pell is not one of the idle rich by a long way, and I doubt he lacks for confidence. He's not going to be "Mr. Michelle Kwan." Also, when it comes to a relationship with the spotlight, Michelle doesn't have Diana's hunger for adulation. (Much as I loved and admired Diana, one must admit that this trait was a part of her personality. No one's perfect.) So there isn't going to be a battle for center stage between the two Pells, I'm sure.