Key Takeaways
- Monica Duran, the Democratic House Majority Leader in Colorado, has a unique family dynamic where she is outnumbered by Republicans at home.
- Her two sons, Patrick and David, are conservative and have voted for President Trump, despite their mother’s Democratic leadership.
- Duran’s family has open and respectful discussions about politics, but they also prioritize their relationships and put family before politics.
- Duran has championed policies aimed at helping victims of crime and domestic violence, but her advocacy for stricter gun laws has led to disagreements with her sons.
- Despite their differences, the family remains close and plans to spend the holidays together, with David cooking traditional Mexican dishes.
Introduction to Monica Duran and Her Family
Monica Duran, the Democratic House Majority Leader in Colorado, knows that politics can be challenging, especially during the holidays. As one of the top Democratic leaders in the state, she is used to managing the chamber floor and handling hundreds of bills that come through the House each legislative session. However, at home, she is outnumbered by Republicans. Her two sons, Patrick and David, are conservative and have voted for President Trump. This unique family dynamic has taught Duran the importance of respecting different perspectives and prioritizing family relationships.
The Family’s Political Discussions
Duran’s family has always been vocal about politics, and they don’t hold back when discussing their differences. Patrick, who is 44 years old, has studied political science and follows politics closely. He has even hosted a motorsports podcast and has been involved in his mother’s political career. Despite their differences, Patrick and Duran have a strong bond, and he has learned to respect her perspective. "I found instead of really focusing in on the handful of issues we don’t agree on, is (focusing on) the ones that I do agree with my mom," he said. Duran has also learned to appreciate her son’s perspective, even when they disagree. "When it gets to that point where we’re kind of heated, I will say just time out. Family comes before politics. It just has to," she said.
Duran’s Career and Policy Disagreements
As a domestic violence survivor, Duran has championed policies aimed at helping victims of crime and domestic violence. She has also backed Colorado’s stricter gun laws, including training standards for concealed handgun permits. However, these policies have led to disagreements with her sons, who are strong backers of 2nd Amendment rights. David, her younger son, has even moved his family to Wyoming due to the direction Colorado is going. Duran acknowledges that her policies have impacted her son’s freedoms and choices, but she still believes in the importance of her work. "I acknowledge the fact that, ‘yeah, you’re right," she said. "I have ran those policies and I realize they’ve impacted what you feel are your freedoms and your choices that you want to be able to make and how you want to raise your daughter, my granddaughter."
The Importance of Respect and Family Relationships
Despite their differences, Duran’s family remains close, and they prioritize their relationships. Patrick believes that respect is key to maintaining their bond. "It’s not the biggest focal part of our relationships," he said. "My mom is my mother. She’s my best friend. She’s somebody I can confide in. I don’t look at her as somebody who votes entirely different than me." Duran also values her relationships with her sons and is proud of the people they have become. She jokes that her sons have turned out okay, even if they are "far right." She believes that they have conviction and belief and care about their community.
The Holiday Season and Family Traditions
During the holidays, Duran and her sons plan to get together and spend quality time. David loves to cook traditional Mexican dishes, such as tacos, carnitas, and tamales. Duran is looking forward to spending time with her family and enjoying their company. Despite their differences, they remain close, and their relationships are stronger than their political disagreements. Duran still holds out hope that someday one of her sons may change his mind and see things from her perspective. "That little light bulb might go off in his head, and he might say, you know what? My mom was right all along," she said. However, for now, she is content with the fact that they can disagree without being disagreeable and that their relationships remain strong.