This is part four of a five-part series in which the Northern Star interviews Congressman Randy Hultgren, who took office this January.

NORTHERN STAR: So our readers can learn more about the man behind the title, how do you enjoy your free time?

RANDY HULTGREN: My favorite thing to do is be with my wife and kids. My wife and I are coming up on 20 years this June, and we’ve got four kids. I’ve got a son who’s 16, a daughter who’s 14, a son who’s 9 and a son who’s 6. I love playing games with them, reading with them, doing things with them, spending time together, so that’s my favorite thing. And that’s something that I appreciate even more now that I have to go further away. It was hard when I was in Springfield, but it’s even more difficult being out in DC. There’s a little bit more of a separation there. I love spending time with them.

I love to read. I love to learn new things, and I just love being with people, so one of my favorite things in the district is just going around and meeting people, finding great spots in the district whether it’s a cafe or a memorial or something historic in the district. I love discovering things and meeting new people, so those are my favorite things to do.

NS: How is your new job affecting family life?

RH: It’s challenging. They were out there for the swearing in, my whole family was, and that was great to have them with me for that. Obviously, they’ve been through this process with the campaign. It’s hard, but they’re excited about it, and they understand how important it is and it is something that we as a family are doing together. So it’s not just me, but they’re a part of it too.

It’s just finding ways to connect while I’m gone so I try and call during dinner time every night, so even though I’m not sitting at the dinner table, they can put it on speakerphone and I can talk to them and hear about their day when they’re always together. And then I’ll call again before they go to bed so I can talk to them before they get tucked in at night.

So that’s important. Even though it’s not the same as being there, it’s still a good way to connect with them and hear what’s going on in their day so that I feel a part of it and hit the ground running with them when I get back home with them.