Still others performed the “floss” dance popularized by the video game “Fortnite” – at the request of their children, they claimed.
While all House offices are equal, some are more equal than others. Only a handful are in the Capitol – most are in one of three office buildings on the south side of the Capitol complex, linked to one another by a series of tunnels. They vary slightly in size, but are prized for view and proximity to the Capitol.
Rep.-elect Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Tucson, was spared the drawing because she’s served twice before – being unseated by Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Prescott, in 2010 and then, after being re-elected the first time, giving up her seat in 2016 for an unsuccessful run against then-Sen. John McCain. Kirkpatrick, re-elected this year, retains her seniority, so she moved ahead of the true freshmen in the pecking order for offices.
Former Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton was not so lucky – the Democrat, a true freshman, drew No. 82 of the 85 freshmen looking for their new homes.
Those members who drew higher numbers tried to ease their misfortune by saying thatÿat least they were “still a member” of Congress.
Stanton was not present when his turn came, so transition aide Eric Chalmers went in his place. Chalmers went up to Weidemeyer, took a selfie for luck, and then proceeded to pull No. 82 from the box, meaning his boss will be the one of the last new member of the House to choose his office.
“There goes my job,” Chalmers said as he returned to his seat.