Dozens of newly elected members of the 113th Congress - plus a few who might be elected, but whose races still aren't fully settled - will take their first official step on Capitol Hill Tuesday, as official Congressional orientation meetings begin, with plenty of election suspense still left in the halls of Congress.
One prime example is the House Republican in charge of new member orientation, Rep. Dan Lungren of California, who is right now behind in his re-election race by 1779 votes.
Lungren heads orientation as chairman of the House Administration Committee; he may become the only committee chairman defeated in this year's elections in Congress, as Democrat Ami Bera hopes to emerge as the winner.
Even though the Bera-Lungren race isn't official, Bera will be in Washington, D.C. for orientation; that's true of some other close races as well.
If you are wondering, it has happened before where someone comes to D.C. for orientation, but then leaves town a loser, as the votes are tallied back home.
The same story line is happening with one of the highest profile Tea Party Republicans, as Rep. Allen West (R-FL) still trails in his race; Democrat Patrick Murphy will be here for orientation, ahead right now by 1,907 votes.
West is demanding a fuller recount after a partial re-run of votes in St. Lucie County showed fewer votes both for Murphy and West; the race is just above a half-point lead for Murphy - if it gets to 0.5%, then a recount would be automatic.
Under Florida law though, candidates cannot ask for recounts.
With five different races still unfinished, there are just over 80 new members who will be here for orientation this week.
They will get briefings on how to put together their staff, ethics and more; they will also get the chance to draw for office assignments - the new Congress will be sworn in on January 3, 2013.
The new freshmen class for 2013
Unlike two years ago when the new members were dominated by Republicans, this class has a slight majority for the Democrats.
It also is bringing in more women and minorities, as the minority in the House Democratic Caucus next year will be white men.
Over in the Senate, we should also note that the 12 new Senators will add two women to the ranks there overall, meaning that 20 women will be Senators, the highest number ever.
Speaking of women, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi is creating some suspense about her future, with reports that she will announce Wednesday whether she will stay on as the top Democrat in her chamber.
Pelosi's delegation from California is seeing the largest amount of change in the new Congress, as a dozen new members will come to D.C. from the Golden State.
Texas is next on the turnover list, with eight new members of the House; Florida has seven and Illinois has six new faces for the 113th Congress.
Before they are all officially sworn in next January, the new members get to join those who will still be around next year for leadership elections in both parties, as well as the insider task of committee assignments.
One very interesting note - when the gavel falls on January 3 to convene the new Congress, there will be over 160 lawmakers who were elected between 2010 and 2012 - that is over one third of the House.
As I always like to say, the voters back home are exercising their power with term limits, even without a Constitutional Amendment.
