Democratic socialist Melat Kiros is projected to win Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Colorado’s 1st congressional district, unseating 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette. Kiros, a 29-year-old lawyer and PhD student, ran to the left of DeGette in this solidly Democratic district that encompasses most of Denver.
Progressive Platform and Backing
A political newcomer backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and progressive groups like Justice Democrats, Kiros campaigned on a message of affordability, Medicare for All, abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and supporting universal childcare. Her victory comes after a wave of similar primary wins in New York last week by young, more progressive candidates challenging establishment figures.
Democratic voters have been showing a desire for generational change within their party, with younger voters seeking leaders to the left of the establishment on issues such as wealth inequality and foreign policy. This appears to be a factor in why Democratic voters sided with Kiros, who was born months after DeGette first became a congresswoman in 1997.
DeGette's Struggles and Last-Minute Attacks
DeGette, 68, is also progressive and, as a senior member of Congress, holds significant sway with her seat on the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce. However, in an early sign of trouble for her campaign, DeGette earned just 32% of the vote at Democrats’ Denver County assembly in March, nearly missing the ballot entirely. Kiros walked away with 63% of the vote at that assembly.
In the final weeks of the campaign, super PACs backing DeGette dropped $1.3 million into the race in last-minute attack ads against Kiros, accusing her of dividing Democrats and making statements “laced with antisemitism.”
Kiros's Background and Gaza Protest
Kiros was raised in Denver after her family immigrated from Ethiopia. She was working at the New York office of law firm Sidley Austin in 2023 when she published an open letter defending university students protesting Israel’s war on Gaza. When her employer asked her to take it down, she refused and was ultimately fired over it. That led her back to Denver, where she worked as a barista and became more involved in politics.
“The ‘any Democrat will do’ era is over,” reads Kiros’ campaign website. “When I spoke out against the genocide in Gaza, powerful people told me to stay silent or it would cost me my job. I didn’t back down. Now I’ll do the same in Congress.”
