Typical freshman? Lawmaker misses office lottery

Promptness can pay off when it comes to office space at the Capitol, a lesson that Rep.-elect Brad Ashford is likely learning.

The Nebraska Democrat was reportedly late to select his work digs Wednesday, following the lottery by soon-to-be lawmakers who chose numbers to determine which office they would claim during their time in Washington.

A reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette wrote on Twitter:

New members abuzz after Rep. Elect Brad Ashford,D-Neb., didn't appear on time to pick his office and was skipped. He now gets last pick

— sarahdwire (@sarahdwire) November 19, 2014

Word is Ashford went from being the 11th person to pick to being the 57th.

While not addressing why her boss was delayed, Ashford’s incoming chief of staff, Tiffany Muller, told ITK, “Voters didn’t send Brad Ashford to Washington hoping he’d get the best pick in the office lottery. They sent him there to cut through the gridlock and get things done for Nebraska.”

Muller added, “He’s excited to get to work finding 25 new bi-partisan friends to work with.”

We hear despite having the late pick, his office wasn’t too shabby after all: Ashford landed on the first floor of the Cannon House Office Building.

—This story has been updated.