Sen.-elect Kay Hagan is getting to know Washington.

The Greensboro Democrat said she doesn't know yet which wooden desk she'll use in the Senate chamber, but she knows it'll be in the back right — a rather crowded area for Democrats these days.

During a tour, she looked for the desk belonging to her uncle, former Florida Sen. Lawton Chiles. It's not uncommon for such desks to be handed down, as Sen. Elizabeth Dole used the desk that belonged to her husband, Bob.

In several days of orientation, Hagan saw the electoral college counts from the disputed Jefferson-Burr race, learned about ethics rules and looked for a house to rent or buy near the Capitol.

She said she plans to keep Dole's office in Raleigh open and may hire some of her state staff as well. (N&O) 

Sen.-elect Kay Hagan has firsthand experience in constituent service.

For six months between when she graduated from college in 1975 and started law school, the Greensboro Democrat volunteered for her uncle, Florida Sen. Lawton Chiles.

For three-fourths of the day, she handled constituent service, and then for the remainder of her time she would help run the senators' elevator.

(U.S. senators have a special elevator that the public is not allowed to ride in unless invited. It is now professionally run.)

Hagan has an unusual tie with one of the other interns from her time in Washington.

Don Vaughan, who worked for then Sen. Robert Morgan of North Carolina, won Hagan's old state Senate seat in the November election.

Kay Hagan seems to be getting some family support.

The Democratic Senate nominee has received more than $48,000 from donors with the last name of Hagan or Ruthven, her maiden name, according to her most recent campaign finance report.

Her immediate family are among the major donors.

Her husband, Chip, a Greensboro attorney, gave $4,600, as did her daughter, Carrie, and her son, Tilden. Her other daughter, Jeanette, a graduate student at U.C. Santa Barbara, gave $2,300.

Her father, Joe. P. Ruthven of Lakeland, Fla., has given, as have J.G., Jerry, Judy B., Karen L., Kim and Lisa Ruthven of Lakeland, and Zachary Ruthven of San Diego.

She also received $1,500 from Rhea Chiles, her aunt and the wife of former Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles.

Her in-laws haven't been stingy either, with her husband's father, Charles Hagan Jr. of Greensboro, giving $4,600. She's also received donations from likely in-laws John C. Hagan and David B. Hagan of Greensboro, Henry G. Hagan of Lutherville, Md., and Anne B. Hagan of Winchester, Mass.

Beverly Perdue's new deputy campaign manager is from Florida.

David Kochman, 36, will speak with the media, direct political strategy and do other work for the lieutenant governor's yet-to-be announced campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

A native of Philadelphia, Kochman has worked in the Sunshine State since graduating with a master's in political science from the University of Florida in 1995.

In Florida, he did constituent service work for Gov. Lawton Chiles, managed several legislative races and worked for Adkins and Associates, a political consulting firm in Coral Gables. In 2006, he worked for state Sen. Rod Smith's unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

Kochman, who recently moved to Raleigh, involved in Perdue's campaign through mutual friends. He said he's excited about the strength of state Democrats in North Carolina.

"It's a welcome circumstance where Democrats are able to make a real difference in both policy and politics," he said.