6 October 2011
Written by Carly Griffin
Some Representatives and Senators started before their 37th birthdays. Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) was just 20 years old when he became a member of the McLean County Board. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was also just 20 years old when he became a member of the Union City Board of Education. Similarly, Representative Scott Tipton (CO-3) was 20 years old as well when he was a delegate at the 1976 Republican National Convention. Others, however, were a bit older when they began their careers. Freshman Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) is 63 years old and just got his start as a member of Congress this year. Representatives Paul Broun (R-GA), and Nicola Tsongas (D-MA) were all 61 when they began their careers in politics as United States Congressmen. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) was also 61 when he first took office in the Senate. So now we turn the post over to you. What's the youngest you think a Congressman should be when he takes office? The oldest? Post your answers in the comments section below and be sure to check out our website, www.votesmart.org, for more information on every member of Congress. Past government experience was collected and analyzed using Project Vote Smart's database of information, including biographies, on congressional members found at www.votesmart.org.
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