Vance McAllister Starts Readying For Washington

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Vance McAllister hasn't ever been to Washington. He'll make his first trip this week — as Louisiana's newest congressman.

The Republican businessman was meeting Monday with his predecessor, Rodney Alexander, to start working out the details of his new job representing the 5th District after his surprise, 20-point election win over the weekend.

McAllister plans to hire much of Alexander's staff, saying he needs to keep people who know the district and Congress.

The congressman-elect has never held elected office, but he says he's not worried about a rough transition.

It's unclear when McAllister will take the oath of office and officially start working. The election results won't be certified until next week, but the U.S. House doesn't have to wait for the certification to swear in its newest member.