Ok, let's talk about conservative Democrats

[loyalsister]

113. It's very tricky

Unfortunately, that problem eliminates opportunities to increase our numbers. Here in MO, many of the state GA seats are not even challenged. The problems potential candidates face is that if they want to run as Democrats, they may not get local or state party support. Unfortunately when they are rejected, they have a place to go if they really want to run.
As much as I have disliked the increase of pro-gun and I mean PRO gun Democrats (many just voted to legally bar any public entity from disallowing guns- bars, churches, schools, no background checks, no license, background checks, or age limits for purchase and conceal carry etc... ) who also have anti-choice leanings. During the '16 election, a Democrat had a really good chance to unseat the republican state senator in my district.
He caught hell from some local Democrats over a conservative gun vote and he lost. I wasn't thrilled with his vote, because MO is really getting out of hand with the ultra permissive laws despite being #1 in toddler shootings last year. But, I didn't pay attention or forward that argument. Now, I kind of wish I had defended him.

Certainly, I would love to live in a world where all of my opinions were unconditionally represented, however I have personal experience that suggests it isn't helpful to enable the republicans to not only maintain their majority but to expand it and solidify it in districts where we could have and likely would have had Democratic contributions on important votes.

I think there are valid pros and cons, and have no idea what the best solution would be. I guess it should be left to trusting the opinions of ourselves and others. I would hope that the numerical factor would be considered though.