A few months ago, their ascension to Congress seemed unimaginable. But for a handful of freshmen who survived razor-thin contests, weeks of uncertainty and even legal challenges, all were more than ready to move past the winding path of the 2010 elections as they took the oath of office on Wednesday.
North Carolina Republican Renee Ellmers was one of those implausible victors, defeating seven-term Democratic Rep. Bob Etheridge by just over 2,000 votes after a recount that lasted two weeks after Election Day. For now, she and her fellow close winners -- several of whom contacted each other as their elections dragged on -- are just happy to be here.
"I haven't had a chance to really take it all in and breathe yet, but I think as this settles in now that I'm sworn in and official, I'll have time to sit back and enjoy," Ellmers said.
Etheridge hadn't been seen as vulnerable until Republican trackers posted a video during the summer of a scuffle with Etheridge that took place after the students identified themselves as college students asking about Pres. Obama's agenda.
While that altercation may have brought attention to the race, Ellmers said it was Etheridge's positions that ultimately hurt him in the district.
"What that did was it shed a little more light on who he is when he's in Washington," she said. "I think ultimately, what really hurt him was his health care vote."
Not without a controversial video herself, Ellmers was one of the first candidates to address the Ground Zero mosque controversy, claiming in a TV ad that Muslims wanted to build a "victory mosque" and criticized Etheridge for staying silent on the issue.
While Ellmers said the ad "did draw a little attention to the race," her campaign had polled in the district and found it was an issue most voters in the district were concerned with and were against.
"Congressman Etheridge was not speaking out one way or another. And yet when I was out in the district talking to potential voters, citizens were very concerned about it," said Ellmers. "So I felt like it was our duty to really speak out."
New York Republican Ann Marie Buerkle was another election night shocker. She only beat freshman Democratic Rep. Dan Maffei by 659 votes after three weeks of recounts and court challenges.
"It makes me realize how hard I have to work and how hard I have to work to unify the district, and for those who didn't support me, to make sure they have a good representative here in Washington," Buerkle said of her narrow win, which she credits to a strong grassroots organization.
But Buerkle sidestepped the notion she's a sure Democratic target in two years, saying only, "right now the only thing that's on my mind is to get together our offices so we can provide excellent constituent service for our district."
In Tennessee, Republican Scott DesJarlais defeated Democratic Rep. Lincoln Davis, who had been seen as the safer of several Democratic seats in the Volunteer State that Republicans targeted. The physician and political novice ended up winning by shocking 18 percentage points.
"I think people were really just disappointed in a lack of accountability and leadership and so they were looking for an alternative, a more citizen-type legislature, and I think I offered that," DesJarlais said of his once seemingly unlikely win.
But even with a comfortable margin, DesJarlais said he wouldn't be surprised to end up on a target list again.
"This is the first time I've ever held public office, so as far as I know, [my district] going to be targeted," said DesJarlais. "A lot will be dependent on how we perform as a Congress. If we do a good job then, maybe we'll just have to see."
Florida Republican Allen West was walking the halls of Congress Tuesday after succeeding on his second try at knocking off Democratic Rep. Ron Klein. One of two African-American Republicans elected to Congress this cycle, West was known as an outspoken conservative and Tea Party favorite during his campaign.
But as for any potential conflicts that could arise within the GOP caucus between more moderate members and new Tea Party-aligned representatives, West demurred, saying he ran on the "Republican ticket" and that he did "believe in the grassroots values that the tea party exposes."
And if he's a potential target in 2012, West says he's not worried about it.
"I'm up here to do the right thing by the people of my district that sent me here, and I know that I will get re-elected if I stand on those principles and I do what they ask me to do," said West. "I'm focused on turning the economic situation around and the national security around."
West's district has the potential to become more Republican-friendly in Florida's redistricting, where the Sunshine State is also gaining two congressional seats.
"I'm sure with a Republican state legislature and a Republican governor, they're not looking to lose anything," he added.
But West laughed, "You can talk to the legislature about that. Hopefully they think I'm a good enough guy that they want to keep this district."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/01/surprise-winners-ready-to-put-2010-behind-them-06
"I haven't had a chance to really take it all in and breathe yet, but I think as this settles in now that I'm sworn in and official, I'll have time to sit back and enjoy," Ellmers said.
Etheridge hadn't been seen as vulnerable until Republican trackers posted a video during the summer of a scuffle with Etheridge that took place after the students identified themselves as college students asking about Pres. Obama's agenda.
While that altercation may have brought attention to the race, Ellmers said it was Etheridge's positions that ultimately hurt him in the district.
"What that did was it shed a little more light on who he is when he's in Washington," she said. "I think ultimately, what really hurt him was his health care vote."
Not without a controversial video herself, Ellmers was one of the first candidates to address the Ground Zero mosque controversy, claiming in a TV ad that Muslims wanted to build a "victory mosque" and criticized Etheridge for staying silent on the issue.
While Ellmers said the ad "did draw a little attention to the race," her campaign had polled in the district and found it was an issue most voters in the district were concerned with and were against.
"Congressman Etheridge was not speaking out one way or another. And yet when I was out in the district talking to potential voters, citizens were very concerned about it," said Ellmers. "So I felt like it was our duty to really speak out."
New York Republican Ann Marie Buerkle was another election night shocker. She only beat freshman Democratic Rep. Dan Maffei by 659 votes after three weeks of recounts and court challenges.
"It makes me realize how hard I have to work and how hard I have to work to unify the district, and for those who didn't support me, to make sure they have a good representative here in Washington," Buerkle said of her narrow win, which she credits to a strong grassroots organization.
But Buerkle sidestepped the notion she's a sure Democratic target in two years, saying only, "right now the only thing that's on my mind is to get together our offices so we can provide excellent constituent service for our district."
In Tennessee, Republican Scott DesJarlais defeated Democratic Rep. Lincoln Davis, who had been seen as the safer of several Democratic seats in the Volunteer State that Republicans targeted. The physician and political novice ended up winning by shocking 18 percentage points.
"I think people were really just disappointed in a lack of accountability and leadership and so they were looking for an alternative, a more citizen-type legislature, and I think I offered that," DesJarlais said of his once seemingly unlikely win.
But even with a comfortable margin, DesJarlais said he wouldn't be surprised to end up on a target list again.
"This is the first time I've ever held public office, so as far as I know, [my district] going to be targeted," said DesJarlais. "A lot will be dependent on how we perform as a Congress. If we do a good job then, maybe we'll just have to see."
Florida Republican Allen West was walking the halls of Congress Tuesday after succeeding on his second try at knocking off Democratic Rep. Ron Klein. One of two African-American Republicans elected to Congress this cycle, West was known as an outspoken conservative and Tea Party favorite during his campaign.
But as for any potential conflicts that could arise within the GOP caucus between more moderate members and new Tea Party-aligned representatives, West demurred, saying he ran on the "Republican ticket" and that he did "believe in the grassroots values that the tea party exposes."
And if he's a potential target in 2012, West says he's not worried about it.
"I'm up here to do the right thing by the people of my district that sent me here, and I know that I will get re-elected if I stand on those principles and I do what they ask me to do," said West. "I'm focused on turning the economic situation around and the national security around."
West's district has the potential to become more Republican-friendly in Florida's redistricting, where the Sunshine State is also gaining two congressional seats.
"I'm sure with a Republican state legislature and a Republican governor, they're not looking to lose anything," he added.
But West laughed, "You can talk to the legislature about that. Hopefully they think I'm a good enough guy that they want to keep this district."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/01/surprise-winners-ready-to-put-2010-behind-them-06