A Presence in Pueblo

This November, Daneya Esgar could become the first openly gay state representative from Pueblo, bolstering an already strong LGBT presence in the Colorado Congress.

“When I started this adventure in January, being the first openly gay candidate from Pueblo for any open elected office, I was a little nervous,” says Daneya, who is running for House District seat 46. “But I’m proud to say it’s never come up in conversations I’ve had with constituents.”

Daneya emphasizes that being out has been a non-issue during her entire campaign. “I think that speaks volumes about the progress Colorado’s been making and the forward thinking of Coloradans — that who I love has absolutely nothing to do with leadership ability.”

She is running against Republican candidate Brian Mater, a business owner who told The Pueblo Chieftain that, although he believes marriage is between a man and a woman, he is not opposed to allowing gays to marry in Colorado.

“I’d like to believe that if it came down to it, he would vote on the side of equality for everyone,” says Daneya. “But the fact that my opponent believes marriage is between one man and one woman tells me that, in his heart, he doesn’t support full marriage equality.”

But Daneya, a Pueblo native, wants to do much more than fight for same-sex marriage. She hopes to tackle a number of issues facing her community including Pueblo’s struggling education system, the city’s high poverty levels, and Pueblo’s unemployment rate.

“I think one of the biggest issues the LGBT community talks about down here is being able to provide for their families. That goes back to working hard to bring better jobs to Pueblo. Of all the issues we have, it always keeps coming back to jobs. We just don’t have enough good-paying jobs.”

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pueblo has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state at 8.6 percent as of July, 2014. In comparison, the unemployment rate for Colorado Springs is was 6.7 percent, and Denver’s unemployment rate was at 5.4 percent for the same month.

And it’s not just jobs she wants to bring into Pueblo. Daneya stated she would support a bill that would raise the minimum wage. “We need to make sure that the jobs we do get are jobs that actually pay a living wage.”

As a gun owner, Daneya advocates for safe gun ownership and supports the recent Colorado gun laws which include limiting ammunition magazine to 15 rounds and background checks for gun sales. “Colorado is a safer place to live because of the legislation that went through,” says Daneya.

She adds that the conversation revolving around gun control should focus on improving availability to mental health care in Colorado. “We need to make sure it’s easier for people to have affordable access to mental health than have access to a gun.”

She is strongly opposed to Amendment 67, adding it would be “very dangerous for women and for families.” She is still listening to arguments on both sides regarding Amendment 68, which would permit gambling in Arapaho, Mesa, and Pueblo Counties, the revenue of which would be distributed to public schools.