Can you still write a sympathetic character you disagree with?

In Christina’s Portrait, I developed a minor character who is someone I fundamentally disagree with, but someone who is sympathetic. This character, Ray Davis, is the brother of one of my main characters, Noreen. He proves to be important because he brings my other main character, Benicia, closer to Noreen. Ray had to be more than a punchline to a standup comedy sketch. I took away Ray’s stereotypical characteristics, including a Gadsden Flag and a gun rack. Then I brought out more of his personality as a family man. The introductory scenes are more about Benicia’s reaction to him:

We stopped in front of his door. It had one of the wreathes you’d find at Hobby Lobby with woven branches, blue and white checkered bows, and pastel hearts. I assumed Ray was married. No guy with a Ford F-150 would pick out one of those on their own.

Maya took her mask out of her purse. “Should we?…”

I grumbled, “If we wore those, he’d kick us out.”

Agustín looked over his shoulder towards me. “You said he was a nice person on the phone.”

I exhaled hard. I didn’t want to take the time to explain to him why that Trump bumper sticker bothered me so much. And I didn’t want to blow this interview after we came all this way. If I wanted to be taken seriously as a…