The 2006 midterm elections are over. But there’s no rest for the winners. Future West Palm Beach Congressman Tim Mahoney’s realizing how much there is to get done before Congress starts in January.

Newly elected lawmakers flew in to Washington, DC this week to start freshman orientation. Beverly Bell of the Congressional Management Foundation says the most important decision lawmakers must make immediately is who to bring on their congressional staff.

“If you hire a bad chief of staff or a chief of staff that is not right for you that’s very difficult. It’s going to set you back a long way because that chief of staff has a lot of responsibilities getting your office set up.”

Mahoney says he’s already receiving hundreds of resumes to work in his Congressional offices. But he will have fewer openings than most freshmen.

“We’re going to hold on to most of former Congressman Foley’s staff. I don’t care if they’re Republican or Democrat. They did a great job for Congressman Foley and the 16th district.”

Mahoney says he wants to stay a bit of an outsider in Washington. He’s spending this week learning parliamentary procedure and will vote in Democratic Leadership elections.