Terra Sabag

Position: Legislative director, Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.)
Age: 32
Hometown: Born in Luverne, Minn., but considers Omaha, Neb., home.
Last job: Senior legislative assistant for Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.)
First job: Dairy Queen
Most unusual job: Worked in a bridal shop
Number of cups of coffee you drink per day: None
Religion: Episcopalian
Favorite political TV show or movie: “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”
Most inspirational figure: “I could never single out one inspirational figure. I would have to include Ida B. Wells and my mother.”
Dream job (not including present one): Owning a bakery
College: Hendrix College in Conway, Ark.
Graduate School: University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
Passion outside work: Running
Claim to fame: My horrible singing voice
Marital status/children: Single

Growing up, Terra Sabag, legislative director for Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), dreamed of being an attorney.

“I have no idea why, but I remember saying that as a kid,” she said.

Sabag earned a law degree from the University of Arkansas, and still hopes one day to be a legal aide attorney. She is building her savings now, and hopes to pursue that career later because she knows the pay is low.

For now, she happily works in politics. She loves doing nitty-gritty policy research, and enjoys reading congressional research reports.

“I’m the biggest nerd when it comes to that,” she said. “I love reading and learning. I want as much information as I can absorb.”

Sabag got interested in politics during college when she volunteered for the campaign of Rep. Vic Snyder (D-Ark.). Her friend, who was a waitress, encouraged Sabag to join Snyder because she said he never accepted free drinks.

“I saw how much of a difference it makes who’s in office,” she said of the experience. “It was exciting, pretty eye-opening.” She teamed up with Snyder again, working for him while in law school.

When Sabag takes a break from work, she enjoys running. She logs four or five miles on weekdays, more on weekends. Winter is her favorite time to run.

“I love the winter and I love snow,” the former college soccer player said. Sabag also relaxes by browsing cooking magazines — that is, when she’s not engrossed in policy reading.