But in the case of State Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Coral Springs), it's personal.
Moskowitz attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the site where Nikolaus Cruz killed 17 and injured 15 on Valentine's Day.
The school is in his district, mere blocks from his home. His son's preschool was put on lockdown in the aftermath of the shooting.
So when he heard that the person who had inflicted so much suffering upon the community could live out his days in prison as part of a plea deal, Moskowitz was pissed.
In a statement sent through a spokesman to media on Monday, he demanded that the victims' families have a say.
“Frankly, it is indefensible for the prosecution or defense to already be considering whether or not the death penalty will be on the table for this domestic terrorist. The families who lost their children, who lost everything, who are broken forever must be consulted," he said. "Let them decide!"
He pointed out that Cruz (who purchased a semi-automatic rifle despite multiple red flags) was acting deliberately — and had planned on getting away with it.
“This was a methodically planned and executed mass murder," Moskowitz's statement continued. "Not only had he carefully calculated the attack, he had an escape plan and used it. This wasn’t a suicide mission, this was an act of terror that he wanted to commit and walk away from, living to see another day, and now he wants to live again, in jail! We should not give him what he wants."
In general, Democrats tend to be critical of the death penalty, either because they believe it's too harsh or due to the volume of prisoners on death row who have been exonerated after being wrongfully convicted.
That position became a problem for Democratic Orlando-area State Attorney Aramis Ayala, who last year announced she wouldn't seek the death penalty in any case she tries (a position she has since rescinded).
State Attorney for Hillsborough County Andrew Warren, meanwhile, though a relatively progressive Democrat, is seeking death for the accused Seminole Heights killer due to the depravity of the crime.
Moskowitz said he'd personally like to help throw the book at the shooter.
“If you were to ask my opinion? Off with his head!" he said. "To the State Attorney: I am available for jury duty.”
This article appears in Feb 15-22, 2018.