Denver gay lawmaker comes to defense of colleague

A gay Denver lawmaker defended his House colleague and ally Oct. 13 after news broke the Lakewood legislator would face a primary challenger who is also gay.

Rep. Mark Ferrandino said he’s behind Rep. Andy Kerr despite Brian Carroll, an out gay veteran entering the race to represent Lakewood in Colorado House District 28.

“From Day One, Rep. Kerr has been a strong voice for Lakewood and the LGBT community,” Ferrandino said. “One of his first votes was for us.”

Ferrandino pointed to Kerr standing up for education funding in 2011 that might have been cut if it wasn’t for the Democratic caucus uniting against the Republican controlled chamber.

Republicans won the House in 2010 by one seat.

“Kerr is a leader in the House,” Ferrandino said.

Kerr was appointed to the House by a vacancy committee in 2006. He voted to send Referendum I to the ballot. Ref I would have created domestic partnerships here had it passed. The same year Colorado voters approved Amendment 43 defining marriage between a man and a woman.

“LGBT rights has never been a question for Kerr,” Ferrandino said.

Kerr also voted for a group of five laws, known as the Rights Five, that extended a number of protections for the LGBT community including housing and employment non-discrimination and  second parent adoption.

One Colorado, a statewide LGBT advocacy organization, endorsed Kerr in 2010.

“One Colorado has endorsed Rep. Kerr in the past given his pro-equality support,” said Executive Director Brad Clark. “As we head into the primary, we plan to go through a thorough process with all candidates; however, it is our general policy to stand up for our friends and allies.”

Ferrandino, who called Out Front Colorado to defend Kerr, said Carroll has yet to explain why he’d be a better fit for the House seat.

“What are the issues that Brian has against Andy?” Ferrandino asked rhetorically. “He hasn’t told anyone. Sure he has the right to run, but he has to make the case that Andy hasn’t done a good job.”

Carroll said — without specifically addressing Kerr’s record — he’s out to debunk the status quo.

In a statement issued by his campaign manager Andy Szekeres, Carroll said, “In Iraq and Afghanistan I’ve seen firsthand the devastation of inadequate leadership in communities and how it affects the lack of education for local youth, the poor quality of healthcare, and lack of equality for women, minorities, and LGBT individuals. After six years of serving in the U.S. Army and successfully tackling those problems under the most trying circumstances, I came home to Colorado and found those same injustices throughout Lakewood and our great state. Colorado deserves better than the status quo. We need a proven leader who will get us through these tough times ahead and I am confident that my experience and expertise makes me the best person to be that leader for the future of Colorado House District 28.”

Carroll added there’s a difference between voting the right way and being on the forefront of the issue.

“There is a difference between championing an issue and voting the right way,” he said. “As an openly gay man in the United States Army, I have personally confronted and successfully diminished discrimination based on my sexuality and will be a more committed and better advocate for our community, continuing to fight tirelessly for equality in our communities and throughout Colorado”

To face off both Carroll and Kerr will need to get on the June 26, 2012 primary ballot. They can be placed on the ballot either through a caucus system or petition.

Democratic state party chairman Rick Palacio, also gay, said democracy will decide who will go on to November.

“Primaries are part of the democratic process. While I just met Brian, he seems like a quality person who has honorably served our country. Rep. Kerr has been a tremendous advocate both for our LGBT community and for Colorado’s working families,” Palacio said in an email. “At the end of the day the democratic process will play out, and Democrats in Jefferson County will have the final say.”

The winner of the Democratic primary will most likely go on to face Republican Rep. Ken Summers whose district was drawn into Kerr’s after a committee redrew district lines to reflect population shifts.

Ferrandino said the best chance for civil unions in Colorado — if the legislation is not passed during the 2012 session — would be for the Democrats to regain control of the House.

“The reality is, the House is still controlled by Republicans,” he said. “We need to make sure, in November, the House is back in control of the Democrats to pass civil unions.”