Two state lawmakers are battling personal tragedies.
Sen. Pat Steadman's partner of 11 years was diagnosed with an aggressive and deadly form of cancer.
And Rep. Edward Casso's former wife is dead at the age of 36, the
result of a perforated ulcer that lead to septic poisoning. He said
their two young children are heartbroken.
Both men said their colleagues in the legislature have rallied around them.
"It's been really hard," said Steadman, a Denver Democrat.
His
partner, Dave Misner, is a frequent visitor to the state Capitol, and
was present in the Senate chambers this year when Steadman presented his
bill to allow gay couples to form civil unions.
The couple also regularly attends a variety of political events together.
Steadman said Misner was diagnosed last week with pancreatic cancer. It is too advanced for surgery.
Steadman
said Sen. Lucia Guzman, D-Denver, has been with him throughout the
ordeal. Guzman was a close friend of former state Sen. Paul Sandoval, who died this year after his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Like Sandoval, doctors initially thought Misner had ulcers.
In
addition, House Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, and his
partner, Greg Wertsch, were at the hospital. The two gay couples are
extremely close.
Steadman said he and his partner met with an
oncologist Tuesday to talk about chemotherapy. He said he is optimistic
because Misner is only 48 and otherwise is in great health. He walks
nearly 10 miles a day in his job with the city of Denver's parking
enforcement division.
He said the autopsy report
indicated her death was linked to her ulcer and septic poisoning. Among
the lawmakers at her services were Reps. Sal Pace of Pueblo and Ed
Vigil of Fort Garland. Casso is a Commerce City Democrat.
Casso said he is grateful that he had their two kids, Cecelia, 13, and Aristotle, 11, with him the weekend his wife died.
"Seeing my kids like this, it has been horrible," he said. "They are very, very sad."
Casso
was a student at the University of Colorado when he met Selena Romero
at a sorority party at Colorado State University. They were married in
1997. The couple divorced in 2008 but had maintained a relationship
because of their children.
"It's been hard on everyone," he said.
Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327 or lbartels@denverpost.com
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Two state lawmakers are battling personal tragedies.
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