Every newly elected legislator arrives under the dome with ideas, energy, and a desire to make a difference. But influence in a legislature develops gradually—through reputation, relationships, and the ability to be effective, not from a title alone. Your first order of business should be to figure out what skills you can best contribute and use them to become influential.

When I entered the capacious, domed House chamber for the first time in my first term, I remember peering across rows of chair and voting systems and having a wave of doubt wash over me. My professional background at that point was as a harp teacher and performing artist. Aside from my ideas and convictions, I was not sure what I had to offer. But, I found out very quickly how I could help out and stand out.

At 400 members, my state legislature was one of the largest governing bodies in the country. And, the chamber rule was that to speak (give remarks, ask a question, or make a motion) it was necessary to walk to the central well/podium and face the entire membership. It turned out that many of my colleagues were reticent to speak in front of such a large audience, especially as freshmen, but thanks to my professional experience performing in front of large crowds all over the world, I was composed and confident.

In short order I found myself being asked to speak on behalf of causes and caucuses I cared about. My colleagues appreciated me, and I appreciated the opportunity to be an active representative and work to become influential through consistent competence and sincerity. Yes, senior members generally hold formal power through committee gavels or leadership positions, but newer members can demonstrate that they are thoughtful, reliable, and worth working with, and over time these reputations compound. A member who demonstrates seriousness and follow-through in their first term often becomes someone others consult even before they gain formal authority.

The Three Currencies of Influence

Influence in a legislature is built on three core currencies: relationships, information, and reliability.

Relationships determine who will take your call when a vote is tight or a policy needs support.
Information determines whether you know what is happening early enough to shape outcomes.
Reliability determines whether colleagues trust that you will do what you say.

Members who consistently cultivate all three quickly become valuable participants in the legislative process.

Cultivate Relationships Early

An enormous asset for new legislators is simply their freshman class. The members elected alongside you will grow together in the role and politically over the years. Many will eventually become committee chairs and caucus leaders or be able to vouch for your capabilities in such a role. Relationships built during the first months of service have the potential to become some of the strongest alliances in the future, and hold up through conflict.

I had endless conversations with colleagues, new and old, that I was in proximity to, either due to seating, committee assignments, caucus attendance, or specific policy work. The friendship and easy rapport we cultivated turned into a professional benefit as the years went on. It helped me answer questions, find resources, gain cosponsors and be an effective leader.

Additionally, members who establish cross-party working relationships early often find it easier to collaborate later when issues become more contentious.

Staff relationships are another critical investment. Legislative staff—both personal office staff and committee staff—often have deep institutional knowledge and play a central role in shaping policy language and strategy. Of course, be sure to be friendly with staff and treat them with respect and professionalism. The good working relationship you build will be crucial when you find yourself at the office early or late, needing endless budget data sets pulled and printed before a hearing, or trying to make sense of decades old multi-layered legislative language in writing a bill. You will need their help.

Choose a Focus

New members often try to do too much. Try to balance a few worthwhile priorities that help you keep your policy promises while developing relationships with colleagues and constituents. Consider 1-2 policy goals and do your best to help advance them, support 1-2 district driven issues that show responsiveness to your community needs, and perhaps choose other bills for strategic support to build goodwill with your colleagues.

Legislatures cover an enormous range of topics, and no one can master them all. If you attempt to be influential everywhere you may end up being influential nowhere.

Master Committee Work

Depending on the legislature and political climate, sometimes floor votes outcomes are decided in advance. Committees, therefore, are where there might be a better chance of affecting policy through markups and amendments. It is a place where side conversations can happen and compromises can be made with greater conversation, depth and more time. Always prepare for committee hearings and to ask real questions that produce important information and improve everyone’s understanding of the issue at hand.

Over time, committees become places where members build reputations as problem solvers rather than simply participants. I recall getting positive feedback from senior colleagues about my attention to committee work. They appreciated my genuine interest in learning about the issue at hand and asking serious questions, instead of just making statements. Due to that, as months rolled along in committee, when I spoke up, they listened.

Committee preparation, amendment drafting, and informal negotiations often shape outcomes long before a bill reaches the floor. If you pay attention and get involved in committee work, you will gain opportunities to shape policy earlier in the process.

Remember the Outside

Influence inside the legislature is strengthened by having credibility outside it. The relationships you build with advocates, policy experts, and constituency groups can provide valuable information and support when you are trying to advance legislation.

Don’t forget to communicate clearly with constituents back home. Members who maintain strong support in their districts bring added leverage to internal discussions, as I found during a protracted debate on expanded gaming. Even though there were loud organized voices outside and inside of my district demanding legalization, the quiet conversations I consistently had with constituents of all walks of life helped me understand where the majority of residents stood on the issue.

Leadership often looks to members who can both contribute to policy development and represent their districts effectively.

Build Influence Over Time

Your first year will set your reputation, not your legacy.

Focus on becoming known as serious, prepared, honest, easy to work with and clear about your principles. That reputation you are creating will determine your future committee assignments, leadership opportunities and, at times, the fate of your legislative priorities. A reform bill I introduced, despite successful amended versions, was not fully realized until a few years past my fourth term – after I left the legislature.

Remember that your collegial influence grows through consistent behavior—building trust, developing expertise, and demonstrating reliability. You may not win every fight your first year, but if your colleagues want to work with you again the next year, that is a metric of success.

Written By: Honorable Marilinda Garcia, Capitol Leaders Fellow