For Democrat Jim Himes, his victory over longtime incumbent Rep. Chris Shays only scratches the surface of the work that lies ahead.

"Now we've got the nitty-gritty of making sure that we're positioned, so in January we start doing the people's business on day one," says Himes, who will now represent Connecticut's 4th Congressional District in Washington.

Himes says that he and his staff are all exhausted and running on adrenaline after an uphill climb by the political novice to unseat Shays, who had been in office for 21 years.

Himes spent much of his campaign focusing on Bridgeport, where he courted voters energized by the prospect of voting for President-elect Barack Obama. He says that was the key to the election.

"I had a sense we were going to see some pretty incredible things," Himes says.

When Himes is sworn into office Jan. 3, it will be the first time in 40 years that a Democrat has held the 4th Congressional District seat.

To watch Jim Himes' interview after his election win over Rep. Chris Shays, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.

Incumbent Chris Shays defeated in bid for re-election