Illustration: Tiffany Herring/Axios
Newly elected members are in town this week to learn the ins-and-outs of Capitol Hill, and some are bringing notable tech experience with them.
Here's a look at the freshmen who could influence policy next Congress.
Senate
Sen.-elect Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio)
Moreno defeated Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio, a key pickup for Republicans this cycle.
- Moreno is a former car dealer who turned his focus several years ago to his blockchain firm, Ownum.
- He received more than $38 million from the cryptocurrency industry for his campaign.
- Moreno ran on the belief that China is stealing U.S. jobs and influencing young Americans through TikTok.
- At his first post-election press conference, Moreno said the CHIPS and Science Act should be modified, but that commitments to projects should be honored, per The Statehouse News Bureau.
Sen.-elect Dave McCormick (R-Pa.)
McCormick defeated incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, according to the AP. But Casey hasn't conceded the race, and a legally required recount has now been triggered.
- McCormick got his start in government in 2005 when he was confirmed as the Commerce Department's under secretary of commerce for industry and security, a key position overseeing export controls.
- In the private sector, he's been CEO of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates and technology software company FreeMarkets.
- McCormick calls for "harnessing American innovation" on his campaign website, saying "we need to re-energize innovation, including through improving education in math, science, and engineering as well as technical skills training."
- On China, McCormick says "Congress must establish a clear outbound investment regime that cuts off U.S. investment in all technologies in China critical to national security and in those companies that work with the People's Liberation Army."
House
Rep.-elect Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.)
Liccardo defeated fellow Democrat Evan Low in the contentious race to replace Silicon Valley stalwart Rep. Anna Eshoo.
- Liccardo is the former mayor of San Jose, where he focused on combating gun violence and homelessness, per his campaign; previously, he worked as a prosecutor in Santa Clara.
- He positioned himself as a firmly pro-innovation candidate, saying on his website that lawmakers must consider how their legislation "can create barriers or vehicles to private investment in research and development, particularly in early-stage companies that form the backbone of our innovation economy."
- On AI, he says that Congress needs to address the "negative outcomes" such as fraud "without meddling in the regulation of the technology in ways that will undermine innovation."
- He also calls for Congress to legislate on data privacy and kids' online safety.
Rep-elect Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.)
Goodlander is a familiar face in D.C., and pitched her experience in all three branches of government to New Hampshire voters when she launched her campaign.
- Goodlander, a lawyer, served as deputy assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice, overseeing the Antitrust Division's policy work.
- She was also counselor to Attorney General Merrick Garland, advising him on antitrust and consumer protection issues.
- In her launch ad, she campaigned on her work at DOJ taking "on corporate monopolies," including "the Big Tech companies that are exploiting you for their own gain."
- She's also been a senior adviser to President Biden, a Supreme Court law clerk and a Hill staffer.
