Congressman Sam Farr, D-Carmel
District office, 100 W. Alisal St., Suite 127, Salinas
424-2229, www.farr.house.gov
After 22 years in Washington, Sam Farr says he still picks up most of his case work when he runs into constituents while shopping at Home Depot in Sand City—a fitting metaphor for a politician who’s never outgrown his desire to fix things, whether it’s his bathroom or finding food stamps for millions of Americans. Farr’s never lost an election since becoming a county supervisor in 1975, thanks largely to that fixer-upper spirit; he just can’t stop repairing people’s problems. He’ll finally take some time to focus on himself (and some DIY projects) when he retires this year.