When Democrats in the Colorado House of Representatives tapped Rep. Terrance Carroll of Denver as their assistant majority leader last week, Republicans both applauded and winced.
Both reactions were a sign of the respect that Carroll, a Baptist minister and former police officer, enjoys among his colleagues in both parties.
Rep. David Balmer of Centennial, Carroll’s counterpart as assistant Republican leader, praised Carroll for the fairness and even-handedness he has shown as chairman of the Judiciary Committee and for his willingness to work with Republicans on nonpartisan issues.
Those qualities explain the applause for Carroll coming from the GOP side of the aisle. But if they think so highly of the new No. 3 Democrat in the House, why would Republicans also wince at his ascent to the top ranks of their Democratic rivals?
As state Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, a former colleague of Carroll’s in the House laughingly explained: “He’s smart, friendly and charismatic. And he’s a Democrat. That makes him dangerous.”
True enough, but Republicans also see Carroll’s leadership style as bringing out the best qualities in their own ranks.
Carroll himself wasn’t shy in telling us that he saw his No. 1 duty as helping his party “maintain our majority.” In large part, he will do that task by shepherding an orderly flow of business in the House, which considered about 700 bills last year.
With the legislative session limited by the state constitution to just 120 days, including weekends and holidays, Carroll and Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, have to keep legislation moving at a brisk pace. But despite the workload, Carroll savors the legislative process and enjoys sparring with his Republican counterparts.
“Democracy is the greatest show on Earth,” he told The Post. “We may have differences of opinion, but that is what the process is for. We should be willing to engage on ideas, and from that engagement we get the best policy.”
Carroll, 39, took over the assistant majority leader job from Michael Garcia, who resigned his seat last week. Among other things, he is known for an active interest in school reform issues. Carroll opposes vouchers but is a strong supporter of charter schools and willing to cross party lines to improve educational opportunities, especially for children who are poorly served by our present education system.
Carroll is now finishing his third term and can run for re-election next fall. That makes him a likely candidate to replace either House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, or Madden — both of whom are term- limited — next year.
None of his colleagues would be surprised if Carroll thus emerges as ringmaster of that “greatest show on Earth” called democracy.
