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New Hampshire’s legislature boasts the oldest and youngest lawmakers in the country, but there’s no generation gap in Concord.

Biographical Information:

Name: Angeline Kopka (1974 WCR National President)
Age: 92 (Born April 18, 1916)
Hometown: Nashua, NH
Education: Associate’s degree   
Previous occupation: Retired real estate appraiser
Years as a legislator: Three two-year terms
State legislative district: Hillsborough—District 26

Biographical Information:

Name: Jeff Fontas
Age: 21 (Born Jan. 14, 1987)
Hometown: Nashua, NH
Education: Northeastern University
Previous occupation: Student
Years as a legislator: One two-year term
State legislative district: Hillsborough—District 24

Representatives Angeline Kopka and Jeff Fontas have a lot in common. Both serve in the New Hampshire General Court, are Democrats and represent legislative districts in Hillsborough County. They also are from the same hometown of Nashua, where they have lived all their lives. There is, however, one significant difference: Kopka at 92 and Fontas at 21 are the oldest and youngest lawmakers in the country.

Kopka, a retired real estate appraiser, has served three terms. Fontas, a student at Northeastern University, took advantage of a school program that allows him to work while earning his degree. After his term is over, he plans to go back to school full time. State Legislatures asked the pair about their experiences, backgrounds and approach to lawmaking. Click here to read their Q&A.

Reprinted with permission from the July/August 2008 issue of State Legislatures (Copyright 2008, National Conference of State Legislatures).