In the days before they're sworn in on Jan. 9, they're doing their homework to prepare for their first session of lawmaking. You only have to be a freshman once, and that's a good thing. Kolkhorst drew the highest-numbered Pingpong ball among the freshman, sticking her with the lowest rank among 150 House members. Never second guess your first choice.
Seniority is key in landing the best office space or the most convenient parking spot.
That has no distinction. Kolkhorst may be a freshman, but she has faced adversity before. On the campaign trail, Kolkhorst, who owns a small petroleum business with her husband, was touting her candidacy at the only cafe in the tiny community of New Ulm when she met some resistance from the owner. She was trying to establish common ground with the owner, based on their mutual interest in small business. But the owner had had enough.