I want to respond to the article (“Outspoken Democrat splits from Senate caucus,” July 17) in which Sen. Jacob Candelaria accuses Sens. Peter Wirth and Mimi Stewart of not “living their Democrat values.” I beg to differ. As an ordinary citizen, I have experienced how good Wirth and Stewart are in passing legislation that is important to me, such as the national popular vote, aid in dying and marijuana reform. I find them to be empathetic people and capable leaders of a complex political machinery, the Senate. With all due respect, Candelaria should know better than anyone that legislation is like “making sausage” and that it requires patience and compromise within a team environment.

Guy Dimonte, Ph.D. Santa Fe