As our national and state political environment continues to become more polarized and partisan, we have to find ways to get back to getting things done and working together.

With more and more voters opting to remain unaffiliated from either major party, we have to look in the mirror and ask ourselves why this is happening. In Colorado, unaffiliated voters account for a solid plurality of voters, about 40%, with Democrats accounting for about 30% and Republicans at about 28%, and the remaining 2% going to minor parties.

uring my 16 years as a state legislator, I served 15 years as a Democrat and one as an independent. Even so, I was always known for my independence on many issues and from one day to the next counting on different  coalitions from both parties to advance (or kill) legislation.  

I learned quickly about the immense pressure legislators are under to fall in line with what their party and related interests’ priorities were, but I also learned that when I stood up to that pressure, most individual colleagues respected and trusted me – even if I wasn’t very popular in my caucus as a whole.  

Sadly, over the years this pressure both inside the Capitol and from many outside only intensified as I was often rejected by Democratic Party members and activists who labeled me as Republican-lite.  For me it was an easy call to take this approach, however, since I had to be able to go home and look at myself in the mirror, and sleep at night, knowing I did what I thought was right and what represented my swing district, and always be true to myself.

When it came for my final year in 2018, I made the decision to officially leave the Democratic Party, and I registered as unaffiliated. This was a decision that was very personal for me and was not meant as an attack on my former party or as a step toward the other party. Instead, I felt I had to step out of the party to get the most done and feel the best about myself in my final year.

Amazingly, almost all of my colleagues treated me the same as always – it certainly wasn’t a surprise to many! Several on both sides of the aisle communicated their support and, frankly, even some told me they wished they had the courage to do something similar.

Like most team or group settings – like sports, clubs, professions, etc.- there is a natural tendency toward “group think” and the urge to be popular and liked in your political party and caucus.  My choice was to value individual comradery and relationships and a balancing of my beliefs and those of my district over political affiliation.

Don’t get me wrong – much infighting occurs in the parties and most legislators are working hard to do their best job for their community. The sad truth is, however, too much weight is placed on party affiliation and political donors over substance and mutual respect.

We are all at fault – when we retreat to our echo chambers to consume information and refuse to listen and learn from each other, we are perpetuating and rewarding this polarization that both parties are guilty of.

When outside money can have unlimited and hidden influence on our elections, we are saying to legislators that the mail pieces and misleading headlines are more important than broad appeal and compromise.

In the era of Trump, we have been taught that it is more important to keep your 20-30% base happy and engaged than to work to gain the support of the 50-60% silent majority.

It is up to all of us to be brave and reject this type of politics: Stand up strongly for the policies you believe in and go fight for them without alienating and rejecting those with different opinions; embrace learning as a lifelong process and be open to new ideas; avoid litmus tests in politics because details matter – this is what I will continue to do as a citizen of this country and state.

Cheri Jahn of Wheat Ridge served in the state House of Representatives 2001-2009 and the state Senate 2011-2019. She left the Democratic Party before her last year in office and served the rest of her Senate term registered unaffiliated.