Continuing with our coverage of new Members of Congress, this week we profile new Members from Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire and New Jersey.
In Missouri, Republican Josh Hawley defeated incumbent Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. Hawley, a lawyer by trade, was the state's attorney general. Before that, he was a law professor at the University of Missouri. Hawley's mother was a teacher, and during his campaign he spoke about his desire to "bring down education costs."
In Mississippi, Republican Michael Guest succeeded Republican Gregg Harper, who chose not to seek re-election, in the state's Third Congressional District. Before his election to Congress, Rep. Guest was a state's attorney. He also previously served as the president of the Foundation for Rankin County Public Schools and volunteered at his local high school as the mock trial coach.
In North Dakota, Republican Kevin Cramer defeated incumbent Democrat Heidi Heitkamp. Sen. Cramer, who had previously served in the House of Representatives, is also a former state tourism director and state economic development director. While a House Member, then-Congressman Cramer was a member of the House CTE Caucus. Replacing Sen. Cramer in North Dakota's at-large House seat is Republican Kelly Armstrong. Rep. Armstrong, a lawyer, previously served in the state legislature.
In New Hampshire's First Congressional District, Democrat Christopher Pappas replaced Democrat Carol Shea-Porter, who chose not to seek re-election. Rep. Pappas previously served on the New Hampshire Executive Council and co-owns a restaurant. On the campaign trail, Rep. Pappas advocated for "tuition-free education at community colleges and public universities," and for expanding "job training, career and technical education, and apprenticeship programs." He also urged for greater investments in CTE, drawing on his experience in the restaurant business to underscore the importance of "quality education and job training."
In New Jersey's Second Congressional District, Democrat Jeff Van Drew replaced Republican Frank LoBiondo, who chose not to seek re-election. Rep. Van Drew has a long record in local and state government, and talked about addressing college affordability during his campaign. In New Jersey's Third Congressional District, Democrat Andy Kim defeated incumbent Republican Tom MacArthur. Rep. Kim previously worked in the State Department and for President Obama on national security issues. On the campaign trail, Rep. Kim advocated for additional STEM funding.
Also in New Jersey, in the state's Seventh Congressional District, Democrat Tom Malinowski defeated incumbent Republican Leonard Lance. Rep. Malinowski previously served as the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. During his campaign, Rep. Malinowski advocated for increased investments in STEAM, raising teacher pay, eliminating tuition at two-year community colleges and promoting more lifelong learning opportunities. In the state's Eleventh Congressional District, Democrat Mikie Sherrill replaced Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, who chose not to seek re-election. Rep. Sherrill is a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor. In her campaign, she stressed college affordability issues and stated that "we need to do much more to support two-year and vocational programs."
You can find the fourth edition of new Member profiles here. Stay tuned for next week's recap of New Members of Congress, which will cover New Mexico, Nevada and New York.