Democratic voters share moments with Republican lawmakers

WASHINGTON, DC — A chance encounter with an opposition lawmaker in the Capitol gave a Wisconsin woman hope that more Americans with different political beliefs could find common ground with each other. Said it happened

Madison native Beth Canestra arrived in Washington DC a day early for a little sightseeing ahead of an upcoming meeting.

“I’ve been to the Library of Congress and wanted to see the Capitol,” said Cannestra. “When I walked in, I realized it wasn’t open, so I hung around the building and took pictures.”

Then her visit took an unexpected turn. She said a man stopped next to her on his motorcycle and offered to take a few pictures of her in front of her campus.

“Real Wisconsin, isn’t it?” Canestra said. “He jumped down and said, ‘Hey, I’m Derrick from Wisconsin,’ and I said, ‘I’m also from Wisconsin,’ and we introduced ourselves.”

“Derrick from Wisconsin” happened to be Rep. Derrick Van Oden, a rookie Republican congressman who had just arrived in Washington to represent the state’s third congressional district. Van Orden, now a VIP at the Capitol, gave Cannestra a look inside.

“He pulled out a little pin [that read] Attending the 118th Congress, approaching security guards, I had the best tour ever,” she said. “We are not in the same political party, but I think talking to him and experiencing that time with him gave us hope that our country will move forward.”

He tweeted about the exchange on Monday, writing in the post: [Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison] District, after all, was able to give her a private tour of the capital.

“Maybe Derrick and I are really on the extreme,” she said. If you can develop a sense of respect

Cannestra also said he respects lawmakers’ commitment to public service. Having worked for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for over 30 years, she appreciates his willingness to help another Wisconsin.

“I think we both have roots in wanting the best for the people we work with,” she said. I think I have a responsibility to work for , so I hope he does good things.”