If you happen to be familiar with California politics, you might have a few reasons to feel negatively about Carl Demaio. The first-term lawmaker from San Diego carries a reputation that aligns closely with some of Donald Trump’s more divisive policies, which doesn’t sit well with many. For Democrats, just hearing his name can be akin to nails on a chalkboard.

Interestingly, even within his own party, Demaio doesn’t enjoy universal support. There were concerted efforts to prevent him from being chosen for his role last fall, with accusations of misconduct surfacing. His allies even funneled millions to support other Republican candidates against him.

Critics cite numerous issues with Demaio, including his self-promotion and his criticisms of the GOP. As one analysis pointed out, he seems to prioritize building his brand over making genuine contributions to the party.

However, recent behavior displayed by Democratic Congress members when a resolution to honor Pride Month came up was, in my opinion, quite childish. Demaio, as the first openly gay Republican congressman, took to the floor to express his opposition to the resolution. Normally, there’s a designated time for speeches—around five minutes—without interruptions.

This time, though, things went differently. Demaio argued that the resolution, which many signed, actually pushed a controversial agenda, even facing opposition from some in the LGBTQ+ community.

“This isn’t about truly supporting the LGBTQ+ community,” he stated. “It’s about manipulating them for political gain.” You might agree or disagree with his viewpoint, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s a conversation worth having, I suppose.

Shortly after he began speaking, he was interrupted by Democratic Congressman Josh Lowenthal, who had a celebratory agenda that day. The room erupted in applause as he wished happy birthday to fellow Democrats.

It was odd—Demaio was silenced just when he had something important to say. The joyful cheers for a birthday seemed to overshadow his message, and it kept happening. He was interrupted again, as Lowenthal used the moment to extend well wishes to another colleague. It felt like a bit of a mockery.

Some might find amusement in these interruptions, but it seemed rather trivial to me. It’s an example of the kind of disdainful treatment that often characterizes majority rule in politics, where one party can often bulldoze over the other.

California aims to be a place governed by representative democracy, and it’s important to remember that Demaio has significant support among San Diego voters. He won his seat with a 57% to 43% margin, so clearly, his constituents’ voices deserve attention.

Yes, the Democrats dominate in California, holding a substantial majority in both the state assembly and the Senate. However, it’s worth noting that there are nearly 6 million registered Republicans in the state, not to mention those who identify with conservative values but don’t formally align with the GOP.

These individuals often feel overlooked. Frustration stemming from a perceived lack of representation led to attempts at creating a new state, Jefferson, as even Gov. Gavin Newsom’s policies faced backlash for costing taxpayers a fortune.

The larger issue here is that one-party rule isn’t beneficial for California. When one party has total authority, it can lead to complacency, as they may not feel the need to prove themselves to voters. This was highlighted by political science professor Sad Kousser, who emphasized the importance of competition in a healthy democracy.

As it stands, it’s been quite a while since Republicans had any meaningful sway in Sacramento, harking back to when Arnold Schwarzenegger was in office. The last time they held a majority in Congress was during Bill Clinton’s presidency, which feels like ages ago.

In the meantime, it’s not necessary for Democrats to like their Republican colleagues—or even respect them, I guess. But treating them with basic dignity would be a step in the right direction. No matter their party, every member has something valuable to contribute.