Gary Peters is in a league of his own.
As the only Democrat in the nation to win an open U.S. Senate seat in November, Peters, 56, who served as a U.S. representative representing suburban Detroit, has been immersed in the transition to the Senate.
Peters has also just crisscrossed the state on a economic listening tour that included stops in Traverse City, Flint, Grand Rapids and Detroit to find out what's on constituents' minds.
I had a chance to catch up with him to pose some questions on the new job:
QUESTION: What is the biggest difference between being a congressman and U.S. senator?
ANSWER: It's a privilege to represent the whole state of Michigan as a member of the U.S. Senate. The Senate is a much smaller body (100 members) than the House of Representatives (435 members), which provides great opportunities to reach across the aisle and build bipartisan relationships with my Senate colleagues.
Q: What's your No. 1 goal?
A: My top priority is creating good jobs, growing our economy and strengthening our middle class. We must invest in the engines of economic growth — small business.
Q: Tell us about the committee assignments you now have.
A: I'll be serving on four committees that will focus on creating jobs and growing our economy. I was named to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, where I will continue supporting policies that reinvest in Michigan manufacturing and support the auto industry.
On the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, I will continue fighting to make sure that small businesses have the resources they need to grow, compete and succeed.
I was also appointed to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where I will continue to be an outspoken voice for the New International Trade Crossing in Detroit and ensure secure and efficient trade with Canada.
And I also serve on the Joint Economic Committee.