Hill returns, and 'it feels very good'

By James R. Carroll
jcarroll@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

WASHINGTON — He was at a private home three blocks from the U.S. Capitol, thanking friends and supporters, when the vote came yesterday.

So Rep. Baron Hill excused himself and walked back to the House chamber.

"It's like I never left," the Hoosier Democrat said yesterday, hours after being sworn in as the congressman from Indiana's 9th District. "It's the craziest feeling."

Hill is back after a two-year hiatus, when the seat was occupied by Republican Mike Sodrel.

"In some ways, it is better than the first time I ran," Hill said as he walked to vote. "There's something about winning, losing and coming back -- it feels very good."

First elected to the House in 1998, Hill said he remembered his first days back then as overwhelming as he learned the congressional system.

"I've still got an office to get ready, hire staff, and bring people on board to do all those things, but having done it once, it makes it a little bit easier the second time around," Hill said.

His wife, Betty, and one of their three daughters, Jenny Weiser, now finance director for the Indiana Democratic Party, came to Washington for Hill's swearing-in in the House chamber.

Many friends and supporters came from Indiana to celebrate with him.

Read more on Congressman Hill's return to Congress at the Courier-Journal.com