Democratic socialist Melat Kiros has unseated 15-term incumbent US Representative Diana DeGette in Colorado's primary elections held on Tuesday, marking another victory for the party's insurgent left. The Associated Press reported that Kiros defeated DeGette for the Democratic nomination in the deep-blue first congressional district centered on Denver. Kiros's triumph virtually guarantees her election in November in the solidly Democratic district.
Background of the challenger
Kiros, 29, was born in Ethiopia in 1997—the year DeGette arrived in Congress—and graduated from law school at the University of Notre Dame in 2022. In 2023, she wrote a blogpost rejecting accusations that law students who protested against Israel's counterattack after 7 October were antisemitic. The New York law firm where Kiros was working fired her after she refused to take the post down, prompting her entry into politics.
After announcing her run for Congress, Kiros garnered endorsements from progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, the Democratic Socialists of America, and Justice Democrats—progressive groups involved in New York's primaries. Justice Democrats praised Kiros for having “built a movement that inspired Denverites to remember they themselves have the power to transform what kind of Democratic Party they want to be represented by.”
Campaign issues and controversies
Kiros made US support for Israel a central issue. In an interview with Colorado Public Radio (CPR), she accused Israel of carrying out a genocide in Gaza and called for a US arms embargo. DeGette opposes providing offensive arms to Israel but told CPR she believes Israel has a right to exist and defend itself. Kiros also faced criticism for refusing to label a 2025 firebombing attack on pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder as antisemitic, stating she didn't know the perpetrator's motives. Additionally, she described the 9/11 attacks as “inevitable” due to US destabilization of the Middle East.
Broader Colorado election results
Anti-Washington sentiment was evident across Colorado. In the race to replace term-limited Democratic Governor Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser edged out US Senator Michael Bennet, according to the Associated Press. Weiser accused Bennet of not taking a hard enough line against Donald Trump's cabinet nominees. In the state's most competitive House district, progressive State Representative Manny Rutinel defeated a moderate Democrat to face Republican Congressman Gabe Evans in November. Incumbent Senator John Hickenlooper fended off a progressive challenge from State Senator Julie Gonzales to win renomination and will face Republican nominee Mark Baisley.
