Supporting Brittany Pettersen for Congress is about extra than simply politics as traditional for me

For the primary time in virtually a decade, since I ran for state Senate, I’ll open my dwelling to a political occasion this Saturday night. Mockingly, will probably be for the one who at present holds the workplace I had hoped to fill.

Together with former state Rep. Cole Wist, former FirstBank CEO John Ikard, and political activist Margaret Ash, I’m hosting a fundraiser for Brittany Pettersen. We’re every politically unaffiliated however have chosen to assist Pettersen’s congressional marketing campaign for a myriad of causes.

At first, Pettersen is an efficient, variety individual and public servant. A fellow product of Jefferson County Public Faculties, Pettersen survived a troublesome childhood marred by psychological well being and substance use problems in her household.

It created a lifelong ardour to serve others troubled by comparable circumstances. That led to a profession in politics.

It’s precisely the kind of bootstrap success story our society glorifies.

I can attest that it not a political act, both. Pettersen shouldn’t be one individual in public and one other behind closed doorways. She lives just a few blocks away from me and I continuously cease by her home to say whats up or go on a stroll together with her husband, Ian, their canine and their towhead toddler. 

Most of the time, once we stroll out the door, Pettersen is seated at her kitchen desk surrounded by paper and a laptop computer whereas making calls to push via coverage that she cares about. I get a wave and smile and know she is preventing for me and for each constituent in her district.

That’s greater than sufficient to earn my vote. 

On the similar time, my assist for Pettersen can also be a stand towards autocratic rule. I can’t and won’t stand apart because the democratic pillars of our nation are lease asunder by a political occasion beholden to a tyrant.

Previous to Pettersen, this cycle I gave solely to Republicans I believed might assist that trigger. I contributed to Pam Anderson as a result of she has been a stalwart defender of election integrity in a celebration that prefers unfounded conspiracy theories. I donated to Don Coram and his Quixotic quest to upend the congressional queen of bloodlust rhetoric.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski from Alaska received a web based donation after I had the chance to fulfill her in a small dinner setting final yr and noticed firsthand that her impartial angle towards politics is genuine. She voted to question former President Donald Trump, however ought to retain her seat due to Alaska’s unique non-party, ranked choice primary election system.

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And, after all, I helped to fill the coffers of Rep. Liz Cheney’s marketing campaign. She has develop into the avatar for individuals who put nation and precept over occasion and energy. She could have lost her seat in Congress on Tuesday, however she by no means misplaced her manner.

The identical can’t be mentioned of the GOP members in energy in Washington, D.C.

In the end, I can’t assist somebody who would assist management that might push us into the abyss. I have no idea a lot about Pettersen’s opponent — I didn’t even know he is an election denier till Wist pointed it out on Twitter — however I do know that he would assist a celebration against the peaceable transition of energy.

If Pettersen doesn’t win in 2022, we will probably be one step nearer to electoral chaos in 2024. A U.S. Home of Representatives majority that refuses to certify the presidential election of an opposition occasion member would do extra hurt all of the January sixth insurrectionists. They might successfully nullify the oldest democracy on this planet.

I think this dynamic is precisely what has pushed former Republicans like Wist and me, and unaffiliated voters like Ikard and Ash (each of whom are additionally co-hosting), to assist Pettersen and Democrats like her throughout the nation.

Pettersen will probably be a robust voice for Colorado in Congress. What’s extra, she will probably be an ardent defender of our democracy. For those who agree, be at liberty to drop by subsequent Saturday evening. It is likely to be your final likelihood for one more 10 years. 

Mario Nicolais is an lawyer and columnist who writes on regulation enforcement, the authorized system, well being care and public coverage. Observe him on Twitter: @MarioNicolaiEsq

The Colorado Solar is a nonpartisan information group, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers don’t replicate the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy and submit columns, counsel writers or give suggestions at opinion@coloradosun.com.

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