By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network

PEORIA – Even when you’re last in seniority, they still call you congressman.

And U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria), who succeeded Aaron Schock in the House in September, is still last until a southwest Ohio district chooses a successor to the man who relinquished the speakership.

Considering LaHood’s first few months in office, “I think the biggest surprise was (House Speaker John) Boehner resigning,” LaHood says. “Frankly, I think Speaker (Paul) Ryan is a breath of fresh air. He’s from the Midwest, he’s got a young family. He’s the future of the Republican Party, and I’m excited to work with him.”

LaHood’s role in the economic picture that he wants to improve in his central and western Illinois district?

“We just passed a transportation bill. That’s going to get companies like Caterpillar producing more jobs – and more jobs here in the infrastructure,” LaHood said. “The second thing is: looking at trade. How do we promote trade to help our farmers, to help our manufacturers, to help get more products overseas? Tax reform is a big part of that. One complaint we hear from our small- and medium-sized businesses is that they want a more simplified tax code. I think that’ll help spur economic activity.”

That sounds like a lot of work, considering some would say presidential politics customarily slow down the action on Capitol Hill.