Rep. Greg Landsman dishes on 1st year, co-workers Santos, Greene, Boebert and Wenstrup

When Greg Landsman was elected to represent Ohio's 1st Congressional District last year, he didn't know his long work history in Israel would be helpful to serving in Congress in 2023 − or just how crazy things would get in the House.

Landsman joined The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast this week to talk about his first year in Congress, his Jewish faith and what it has been like working with fellow House of Representative members.

"It's been pretty remarkable," said Landsman, a Democrat from Cincinnati's Mount Washington neighborhood who is running for reelection.

"You know, it started out with 15 votes for speaker, which was historic. That has never happened before. You had a speaker who was voted out and then three weeks without a speaker and then another four rounds of speaker votes. So I think a total of 19, maybe 20 rounds. The speaker votes, two wars, Ukraine and Israel. I went to Israel twice, the second time just before the Oct. 7 attacks."

"I've spent a lot of time in Israel," Landsman said. "I'm Jewish. And it's always been a big part of my life. Ever since I can remember, I've been interested in Israel and in the peace process."

Landsman said he has personal connections via relatives and friends to people who were killed or kidnapped in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. Those triggered an Israeli assault on Hamas-controlled Gaza, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians.

"I'm consuming so much content and having so many conversations with everyone ... from those who are involved on the Palestinian side, the Israeli side, the State Department, the intelligence community," Landsman said. "I've gotten really involved with Qatar and with the ambassador to Qatar because they're in the middle of the negotiations. I want to be helpful."

Landsman is hopeful the conflict will last just a couple of more weeks "and then ultimately, a new governing authority is established in Gaza, one that is willing to take on terror, get it out of Gaza so the Palestinians in Gaza can be completely free."

Landsman revealed he sits in the middle of the House floor, where he can talk to representatives from both political parties who for the most part gravitate to one side or the other with their fellow Democrats or Republicans.

It's led to him working on a bill to help lower prescription drug costs for seniors, which he says has bipartisan support. And if it passes in the new year, it would be a big win for a freshman member of the House.

So what's it like working with the cast of House characters that populate cable news?

Landsman said he prefers a term coined by Rep. Mike Carey, R-Columbus, who calls the George Santoses and Marjorie Taylor Greenes of the House "exotics."

We asked. Landsman answered.

Jim Jordan, R-Ohio

"Are you besties?" The Enquirer asked.

"No," Landsman said. But, Landsman added, the two do get along and are working on a bill to help communities recruit and retain police officers and firefighters.

Recently-expelled George Santos, R-New York

"George Santos sits with Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado) every time and so I always overhear some of the conversations and they're pretty crazy," Landsman said. But he never really talked to Santos.

"I didn't want to engage George because George is a little you know, a little out there," Landsman said. "And I'm not trying to cause a scene or get in the news."

Once, Landsman said, he got in the Capitol elevator and Santos got in the elevator and was talking very loudly with his staff.

"It's a small elevator, right?" Landsman said. "These are old buildings. This is not a great story, but it is a story that is true. He just kept saying, 'I want to go get those doughnut, but I have not had any vegetables today. So you guys need to get me vegetables and then I'm going to eat the vegetables and then I'm going to get the doughnut. So make sure that you guys have all of that sorted out by the time we get back to the office.'"

Then the elevator door opened.

"It was not my floor, but I just wanted out of that elevator," Landsman said. "I felt bad for his staff. It was super awkward."

Majorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia

"Her politics are opposite of mine," Landsman said. "I'm somebody who believes in getting everyone together, problem-solving. She is on the far, far right and is very controversial on Twitter. I am not. As a result, she has way more followers, but she is pleasant. Every time you see her she says, 'Hi.' And I think to myself, she would be great out in the world. I don't think she makes for a good member of Congress."

Landsman, who is a boxer, said Greene could open CrossFit gyms. "People love her CrossFit workout. You hear members say, 'Hey, I came to your class, did you change your schedule?' and Marjorie, she goes by Marge or Marjorie, will say, 'Yes, I'm doing them in the afternoon. But I'll make sure your office gets the note.' People love her classes."

Would Landsman ever consider taking a class with her?

"I don't know," Landsman said. "Maybe." Then he paused and added, "I'll stick to boxing."

Brad Wenstrup, R-Hillsboro

Landsman doesn't put Wenstrup, who recently announced he was retiring at the end of his term, into the exotics category. Landsman said he is sad to see him leave. A lot of candidates have lined up to run, with no particular front-runner.

"I hope that a Brad Wenstrup-type is elected," Landsman said, knowing the district is sure to remain Republican. "Obviously Brad and I don't see eye to eye on everything, but he is very pragmatic. He's responsible. If there is a bipartisan bill that comes to the floor he usually votes for it. And. He did the right thing on Jan. 6 by upholding the Constitution and certifying the election. He voted to expel Santos. So he has courage. I think both Democrats and Republicans need courage right now to stand up to the far left and the far right. And he did and does."

Miss last week's episode? No problem. Listen here. Follow Cincinnati.com editor Beryl Love on X @beryllove and City Hall reporter Sharon Coolidge @SharonCoolidge.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: U.S. Rep. Landsman talks about working with Santos, Greene, Boebert