Ben Nelson has been serving his home state for the past 22 years. He became the 37th Governor of Nebraska in 1990 and he's been representing the Cornhusker State ever since.

Earl Benjamin Nelson was born in McCook on May 17th of 1941. He received his law degree from the University of Nebraska in 1970 and enjoyed two very successful decades in insurance law.

After serving two full terms as governor, Nelson became a U.S. Senator in 2000.

Twelve years later, Nelson is calling it a career.

The Hart Senate Office Building has served as Nelson's home away from home for the past 12 years the Great Seal of Nebraska is proudly displayed as visitors enter in. Once inside, I found out quickly why Thomas Jefferson is so prominently displayed, "I'm a Jeffersonian democrat. I believe in the 10th Amendment thoroughly."

This has been Senator Nelson's only office during his 12 years in Washington, "It's the longest I've ever spent in an office. It is amazing how you get adjusted to your surroundings."

Nelson says he's proud of his 12 years of service in Washington, D.C., "It's been an honor and a real privilege and pleasure to be able to do that. To be able to say that I represent the Great State of Nebraska in the United States Senate."

No matter what, Nelson and his wife Diane will always stay Nebraskans, "I'd have to say that we like D.C., but we love Nebraska and that's why I go home virtually weekend. I started smelling jet fuel Thursday."

Senator Nelson says he's stayed in Washington an average of 3 weekends a year.

Once Nelson is officially out of office on January 2, 2012, he and his wife plan to keep their home in D.C. and Nelson will stay active with a business law presence in Washington and Omaha.