Meet the Lawmaker Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R-N.Y.), 25th District

• Age: 59

• Residence: Syracuse, N.Y.

• Significant other: Divorced

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Rep. Buerkle: I can’t say it was being a congresswoman. I always kind of wanted to go into healthcare. (Editor’s note: Buerkle started her professional career as a nurse.)

What is your favorite hobby?

Rep. Buerkle: I like to run. I haven’t started running yet in Washington — once I get my schedule under control. I’ve run two Marine Corps Marathons in D.C.

What do you consider to be your biggest political achievement?

Rep. Buerkle: Being elected to the United States Congress.

What is something you’re passionate about?

Rep. Buerkle: My children and my grandchildren, certainly. That was part of the motivation for running for office — to preserve the American Dream.

I’m passionate about people. I’ve spent my life in advocacy. People matter — whether or not we agree on the issue, people matter. Right now those are the people in this district.

What’s your favorite place in the world?

Rep. Buerkle: I’ll be honest with you: wherever my family would be, my kids and my grandkids. That’s a place where I’m happiest to be. Three of my kids and a lot of my grandchildren live in Texas. Having all the kids and grandkids together is really where I’m happiest.

What’s your least favorite household chore?

Rep. Buerkle: I’m going to go with cleaning. I love doing laundry, I’ve always loved doing laundry, but cleaning is not one of my favorites.

Do you have a nickname?

Rep. Buerkle: No, I don’t think I do. I used to. When I was growing up, my father always called me Scotty. I never to this day figured out where that came from. 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Rep. Buerkle: I try not to be guilty. I really don’t have a guilty pleasure.