Only roadkill is middle of the road

“I don’t fear losing, but winning.” I spoke those words when accepting the Democratic nomination for House District 43 (Highlands Ranch). I expected to win. (Why run to lose?) But I knew when I won, some supporters would become angry because in contrast to normal politics, I intend to represent ALL my constituents. And to keep my commitments even if not politically expedient. at is an integrity issue for me.

HD43 is the most conservative state House district held by a Democrat. And I am the most conservative Democrat in the state House. So I match the district well. Only 22% of HD43 registered voters are Democrats. Yet despite those numbers, and an incumbent opponent outspending our campaign by a larger margin than most state House legislators spent on their entire campaigns, we won, becoming the rst Douglas County Democrat sent to Colorado’s Capitol

Norton

Last week I wrote about courage and discretion, and when we should exercise both. What I am sharing here is a di erent kind of courage, the courage to be open to failure, being brave enough to take a swing at a golf ball with our team when we have never played the game before, and being daring enough to admit we don’t have the answers right now but will work hard to nd them.

Some of the most courageous people I have met have also been the most transparent and vulnerable. Being grounded in honesty and integrity provides them the strength they need to be vulnerable and transparent. Looking at failure and saying “So what” positions them to achieve greater things in life as they move past those mistakes, learning from each one.

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Guest Column

But in our hyperpartisan world, it is lonely in the middle. When the Democratic Party asked me to run, they inquired into my positions on guns and abortion. I replied that I had personal views. But as the state representative for Highlands Ranch, I would oppose any rollback of existing laws, but not support further restrictions or expansions. Most people were content with that position when I was running given my opponent’s extremism. But now when I am keeping commitments made during the campaign, I am receiving large amounts of personal invective. Mostly from within the party in Douglas County, but not from my state House colleagues

One of the synonyms for courage is audacity. Sometimes when we hear the word audacity we think of a negative connotation. inking things like, “ e audacity of that person.” I like to think of audacity in the positive sense, having the audacity to be courageous in the face of possible embarrassment, to have audacious bravery to own our decisions and our mistakes. To be audacious in the way that we can laugh with others while we laugh at ourselves. is week you may be asked to do something uncomfortable, something completely outside of your swing zone or comfort zone. And if you are, I hope you will make the decision to audaciously pursue the opportunity. We all learn in di erent ways, and one way that I know we learn the best is by getting knocked o balance. So take the chance, say “So what,” and watch how your vulnerability and transparency endear others to you. As always, I would love to hear your

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• Keep it polite: No name calling or “mudslinging.” who seem genuinely pleased having a Dougco Democratic unicorn alongside them. So below are quick sketches of vote decisions on four gun law bills that are creating so much anger:

1. Lifting Gun Manufacturers’ Immunity/Privileges. Yes. Not a rearms restriction, but removing an unjusti able special interest privilege for a politically favored industry, something I oppose no matter which party favors the industry.

2. Red Flag Law Expansion. Yes. Adding district attorneys is easy. And I was convinced adding mental health professionals is appropriate because they can already directly seek court orders for 72-hour holds and forcibly prescribe medication.

3. ree-Day Waiting Period. No. I could not vote for this with integrity given the commitments made when running. e bill passed with two Democrats voting against it. And I story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can show courage in ourselves during moments of vulnerability, it really will be a better than good life. wasn’t going to throw away integrity/ credibility on a non-decisive vote. But I supported the bill sponsors in stopping amendments to weaken the bill even if I was going to vote against the nal product.

4. 18-21 Year Olds Prohibitions from Firearms. Same as #3. I am a loyal Democrat. But loyalty to constituents, state and country will always trump party loyalty. My current legislative focus is on teacher compensation, the equitable treatment of disabled veterans, water quality and good governance. And it is that last focus that leads to most clashes with party apparatchiks. For as one legislative colleague laughingly informed me: “You must be doing something right. You are p-ssing o everybody in power.”

Patrick Dennis Perlinger of Littleton, CO passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Pat was born on March 27, 1941, in North Platte, NE to George and Anna Perlinger, the tenth of eleven children. He was married to Evelyn Wilson in 1962 and they became the loving parents to Chris, Dan, Ann Marie, Dee Dee, and Mary. He is survived by his children and his sister Donna Johnson of Illinois. Pat was the proud grandfather of 17 and the great grandfather of six. He worked for Varityper Corporation for over 25 years in a variety of roles. Pat was a Master Gardener and wrote a gardening column for the local newspaper. He was also active in his community, assisting with various political campaigns and serving for many years on the Public Safety Advisory

Committee of Douglas County, CO. Pat’s lasting impact, however, was felt through his kindness and generosity towards others. He was always willing to lend a hand and share his expertise with those around him.

A Rosary will be said on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 10:15 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. omas More Catholic Church, 8035 South Quebec Street, Centennial, CO 80112. Burial will take place at 11:30 AM on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Paxton Cemetery in Paxton, Nebraska. Pat’s Tribute Wall at www.EllisFamilyServices.com.

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Arrangements are in the care of Ellis Family Services, Funeral and Memorial Care, 13436 West Arbor Place, Littleton, Colorado 80127.