December 18, 2023 03:01 PM UTC

Another Freshman Lawmaker Abruptly Resigns Before Next Legislative Session

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• by: Colorado Pols

We wrote last week about efforts from Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie to help make the workplace culture at the State Capitol a little less acrimonious by changing some House Committee assignments — notably the removal of Reps. Elisabeth Epps and Bob Marshall from the coveted House Judiciary Committee. Despite McCluskie’s efforts, another freshman Democrat has decided to walk away from the legislature.

As Marianne Goodland reports for the publication formerly known as The Colorado Statesman:

State Rep. Said Sharbini, D-Brighton, a first-year lawmaker, announced Monday he is resigning effective Dec. 31.

Sharbini is the second first-year legislator to resign in recent weeks. Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Greenwood Village, announced on Dec. 1 she would resign, effective Dec. 11, citing a “vitriolic” environment in the state House.

A vacancy committee will choose Sharbini’s successor, who will become the 29th current lawmaker — out of 100 — to gain a seat in the legislature through the vacancy process.

Sharbini, who represents House District 31, is an attorney. He cited financial pressures as the major reason, but he, too, said the vitriol of the chamber is a factor. [Pols emphasis]

Financial constraints are certainly an issue for state lawmakers — something we’ve long discussed in this space. Elected lawmakers should absolutely be making more money than the $41,000 plus per diem expenses that are offered. It’s difficult to do a job that is classified as “part time” but is really a full time effort, and it’s even harder for someone like Sharbini who is also trying to maintain a law practice at the same time.

Obviously, Sharbini knew (or should have known) what he was getting into in terms of legislative salaries, but he had no way of forseeing just how toxic the State Capitol work environment might become because of the self-centered antics of a handful of Boebert-esque lawmakers. Chief among that group is Epps, whose childish and pointless shouting and carrying on during the November special legislative session was one of several reasons McCluskie cited in making committee changes. Most legislators run for office because they want to serve their communities — not because they plan on acting out the kind of pointless performative politics that drives Epps and Marshall.

Sharbini is even sympathetic toward Epps’s cause du jour of supporting Palestinians in their conflict against Israel. As Marianne Goodland notes:

Sharbini, who has Palestinian roots, took part in a pro-Palestinian rally on Nov. 9, when he said he is seeking a ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel conflict.

What Sharbini did not do, however, was ignore decorum and common decency in his protests — he didn’t accuse his colleagues of promoting genocide, for example — or run up to the House gallery to shout at lawmakers from above. You can disagree and have discussions with colleagues, but you don’t have to be an asshole about it. Like Rep. Ruby Dickson before him, Sharbini apparently decided that he wasn’t interested in continuing to work with toxic co-workers who distract from the important work that needs to be done at the State Capitol.

As we wrote before, every office has its share of toxic employees. But elected officials can, and should, be held to a higher standard because they serve to represent all of their constituents — not just those few who cheer on their particular brand of performative politics.

Everybody likes to feel like they are the hero of their own story. It’s harder to recognize when you are really just the heel.