Onward & Upward

It was the summer of 1990 when a 12-year-old Justin Ohlemiller came to Washington from his home in Muncie, Ind., to accompany his aunt, who worked in a Senate office.

Dan Toffey’s “more of a campaign guy,” and Washington may not be as raucous as New Orleans, but the new staffer in Sen. Mary Landrieu’s (D-La.) office has handled his relocation to the capital with aplomb.

Nathanael Ferguson, one of four newly promoted staffers in Rep. Bill Posey’s (R- Fla.) office, cultivated his passion for politics on the high seas.

Instead of “Julie and Julia,” it’s the “Julia and Julia” show in Rep. Phil Hare’s (D-Ill.) office.

Position: Senior counsel, Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.)

David Schuld, the new office manager for Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), made his first foray into the political realm in the third grade.

Position: Chief of staff, Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.)

Erin Gulick, the child of a military family, was born in Panama; raised in Virginia, California, Germany and Missouri; and schooled in Washington state and Illinois. Now in Washington, she’s a legislative aide for Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and her policy experience is nearly as diverse as the places she’s lived.

Position: Chief of staff, Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.)

Jessica Brinton was supposed to be a veterinarian. She loved horses as a young girl and competed nationally in English riding. She worked as a veterinary technician from age 14 through college, where she completed the prerequisite courses for veterinary school.