Rep. Caleb Rudow, D-Buncombe, is one of the newest members of the N.C. House. He was selected by Buncombe County Democratic Party leaders in February to finish out the term of Rep. Susan Fisher. He’ll likely be sticking around: He doesn’t have a primary opponent and his Asheville district leans left.

He’s currently serving on House committees handling alcoholic beverage control, education spending and local government issues. He also might be the only member of the legislature who can list “reptile caretaker” on his resume.

Age: 35

What are the current and past jobs you’ve held outside of politics? In chronological order: reptile caretaker, garden store manager, event planner, Peace Corps Volunteer, political organizer, researcher, census enumerator, contact tracer and data scientist.

What lessons from those roles have you applied to your elected position? Data are important but don’t forget the people who the data represent and the stories they have to tell. We have more in common than we think.

If you could enact a single piece of legislation into law today, what would it be? Expand Medicaid in North Carolina. If we have learned anything from the last two years it should be the importance of everyone having access to medical care.

Where do you most enjoy taking an out-of-town visitor in your district? I paddled the entire length of the French Broad River last year on my stand up paddle board and I love taking visitors to different parts of the river. I would either take folks on a float through the River Arts District and end at a brewery or paddle through a few rapids further down the river and then end at a brewery. Either way, all roads in the district end at a brewery.

What is your favorite hobby outside of work? I’m a serial hobbyist so this one is hard to choose. I’m now splitting my hobby time between paddle trips on my stand up paddle board; dancing on my longboard; or learning a new song on the piano.

Who do you most admire, and why? Barack Obama because he was a great leader and knew how to craft stories and narratives that spoke to Americans and the promise of America. I think we are in dire need of new American stories and narratives that people can believe in and feel a part of.

What’s the best advice you’ve received about how to get legislation passed? Build relationships and find out what you have in common first.