Kathleen C. Hochul drove to Washington on Friday, just as she has so many times before to visit family in Virginia.

But this time she arrived as the newest member of the U.S. House of Representatives -- and for sure -- as no ordinary freshman.

After a grueling special campaign that culminated in last Tuesday's victory, Hochul will be sworn in Wednesday amid almost certain media hoopla, as the representative of the 26th Congressional District. That will follow the vanquishing of two major opponents in a Republican-dominated district, starring in the national political spotlight and catapulting Medicare to the top of the nation's discussion list.

Now, Mrs. Hochul goes to Washington -- with lots of eyes trained upon her.

"Everybody knows Kathy's name even before she's sworn in," said former Rep. John J. LaFalce, D-Town of Tonawanda. "They're all saying: 'She's the one who did it.'

"She will automatically have stature," he added. "She comes in with far greater capacity than almost any other freshman congressman I can recall."

In recent weeks, Hochul has appeared on national political shows and the front pages of major newspapers, just as Rep. Paul D. Ryan Jr., R-Wis., chairman of the House Budget Committee, proposed a radical overhaul of the Medicare program. While Hochul dug in her heels against turning Medicare into a government-subsidized private insurance plan for those now under 55, Jane L. Corwin, her Republican opponent, embraced the idea.

Some Democrats point to the Hochul victory in a Republican district as repudiation of the plan -- while others blame a well-financed third-party candidate -- the rookie congresswoman may very become a poster child for the Democratic argument.

Former Rep. Jack F. Quinn Jr., R-Hamburg, said Hochul will not simply report to the Capitol on Wednesday, be issued a voting card and begin her new job. For weeks, her contest has been the subject of Tuesday caucus meetings on both sides of the aisle, he said, and her victory sends her to Washington as an "all star."

"Clearly, some groups will be tugging at her trying to pull her in their direction," Quinn said. "Her own party will want her to talk about the race, and other Democrats will want her playbook to see how she did it."

Hochul dismisses any thoughts about a national spotlight, concentrating on her plans to represent the district and push such local priorities as creating jobs, enhancing the economic development potential of universities and working in partnership with Reps. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, and Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport.

But she expects to remain very much engaged in the national debate over Medicare.

"I heard it loud and clear from the voters that we should not change the fundamentals of Medicare," she said.

The new congresswoman, who is expected to resign as Erie County clerk next week, said she always has been "very grounded, and that is not going to change." She said she anticipates accepting offers extended by several congresswomen to share space in an apartment, but that for the moment she will be "living out of my suitcase," and that her priority is to return home each weekend.

"Right now I just want to get set up, get a good staff on board, and as soon as possible get on the first plane back to the district," she said. "The spotlight will be very fleeting."

Back in Western New York, she said she and her husband -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. -- are looking forward to buying or renting a home in Buffalo's northeast suburbs "in the very near future."

Hochul acknowledged that arriving at the Capitol in mid-term will complicate her ambitions for committee assignments, since many coveted spots already are taken. Still, she said she will push for a seat on the Agriculture Committee to make sure small farmers in Western New York are not "overshadowed by the big conglomerates in the Midwest and West."

She is also eyeing the Homeland Security Committee because of a host of border issues such as the future of the Peace Bridge crossing.

Still, few dispute the idea that she represents the very latest in the nation's political dynamic. Many observers say few Republicans now can ignore what the Ryan Medicare proposals at least partially spawned in the GOP-dominated 26th District, and that Hochul's views will be sought.

Former Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence, who held the seat for 10 years, said the new congresswoman will arrive with a "David vs. Goliath" reputation, and many will watch her early days.

"Democratic leaders will talk about this as part of their future and about the 2012 election," he said. "And this week will be about celebrations and then she will have several weeks of media inquiries. But a lot of that begins to fade as she moves into the hard work of being in Congress."

If extra attention during her arrival is part of the deal, Hochul says so be it, especially if influence translates into results.

"I hope what comes out of this is that I'll be a bigger vote for the district," she said. "I've got the credibility of a lot of people behind me supporting those views."

She also dismisses any talk already beginning that she some may day be destined for even higher office.

"[I'm] so proud and happy to even be a congressperson-elect," she said. "I can't wait to hit the ground running."

rmccarthy@buffnews.comnull