A Top Democrat vs. Her Trump-Voting Sons: How One Politically Divided Family Keeps Holiday Peace

In the statehouse, she leads the Democratic agenda. At her dinner table, she's outnumbered by Republicans. This is the reality for Monica Duran, the House Majority Leader in Colorado. In an era of intense political polarization, her family's story, reported by NPR, offers a look at how to maintain bonds across a sharp political divide.

A House Divided, Literally

Monica Duran is a key leader for the Democrats, managing hundreds of bills each session. But at home, she's in the minority. Her two sons are conservative, and so was her late husband—all voted for President Trump. Duran admits their discussions can get passionate. "When it gets to that point where we're kind of heated, you know, I will say, just timeout," she explained. "Family comes before politics. It just has to."

Finding Common Ground Amid Core Disagreements

Her oldest son, Patrick Ellis, says while he's learned a lot from his mom, she's never changed his mind on the issues, and he's never changed hers. They understand each other's perspectives, but they ultimately run into core beliefs that won't budge. Ironically, it was Patrick who pushed his mother to first run for office. He says she's the only Democrat he's ever voted for. Duran is now in her eighth and final year at the State House due to term limits. "Instead of really focusing in on the handful of issues we don't agree on is the ones that I do agree with my mom," Patrick said, citing her work for victims, women, and animals.

When Policy Hits Home: The Gun Control Debate

Some policy disagreements, however, are impossible to ignore. Duran has championed Colorado's stricter gun laws, such as waiting periods and age limits. Those very laws prompted her younger son, David, to move his family out of state to Wyoming. "I acknowledge the fact that, yeah, you're right. I have ran those policies, and I realize they've impacted what you feel are your freedoms," Duran said. For Patrick, the key to their strong family bond is respect. "My mom is my mother," he said. "She's my best friend... I don't look at her as somebody who votes entirely different than me."