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An‘exciting' introduction for Q-C lawmakers

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By Dan Gearino | Tuesday, January 09, 2007 | No comments posted

DES MOINES — For three Quad-City-area lawmakers, Monday was like the first day of high school.

Sen. David Hartsuch, R-Bettendorf, and Reps. Elesha Gayman, D-Davenport, and Linda Miller, R-Bettendorf, were sworn in for their first terms in the Iowa General Assembly. They found their desks, met their colleagues and felt their way around.

“I’m just looking forward to meeting people and being part of the process,” Hartsuch said.

He was joined by his wife, his three young children and friends as he waited to walk into the Senate well to take the oath of office.

Hartsuch is the only physician in the Legislature, and he also has background as an accountant.

Gayman has the distinction of being the youngest woman in the Legislature at 28. She was one of the first lawmakers to arrive at the Statehouse early Monday morning.

“Everything is so interesting. You just go from one thing to the next, and it’s pretty exciting,” she said.

She moved to Des Moines over the weekend and slept in her yet-to-be furnished efficiency apartment.

Outside of politics, she’s working on her master’s degree in public administration. She’s familiar with the Legislature from her experience as a staff member for Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, D-Arlington.

Miller, a former nurse, also knows her way around the Legislature and politics. She has experience as a lobbyist and as a staff member for Republican Doug Gross’ unsuccessful 2002 run for governor.

For her, the big difference is being front and center, rather than behind the scenes.

“I think it’s exciting,” she said.

One thing that struck her the first day was the way veteran lawmakers were willing to help, regardless of party.

The new crop of freshmen means Sen. Frank Wood, D-Eldridge, no longer is one of the new guys. He took office two years ago in a district that includes Gayman’s House district.

“I give her the advice to keep an open mind, keep her ears open,” Wood said.

(Charlotte Eby contributed to this story.)

Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.