Politics

US: Melat Kiros Defeats 15-Term Incumbent in Colorado House Primary

Is this a grassroots revolution for working people or a far-left takeover that dooms Democrats?

Published JUL 2

US: Melat Kiros Defeats 15-Term Incumbent in Colorado House Primary

Story

Above: Melat Kiros winning the Colorado Democratic primary on June 30. Image credit: Michael Ciaglo/Stringer/Getty Images

The Facts

Democratic socialist Melat Kiros, 29, defeated 15-term incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette, 68, in Colorado's 1st Congressional District Democratic primary on Tuesday, winning by nearly 10 percentage points with more than 80% of ballots counted.
The New York Times
FOX News
Kiros, a first-time candidate born in Ethiopia who immigrated to the U.S. as a baby, was backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Democratic Socialists of America and Justice Democrats, which called 2026 its most successful primary year to date.
Politico
FOX News
Kiros entered politics after being fired from law firm Sidley Austin in 2023, following her refusal to remove a blog post that questioned Israel's legitimacy and challenged the firm's response to pro-Palestinian protesters.
The Denver Post
Jewish News Syndicate (JNS)
Outside groups spent roughly $2.3 million supporting DeGette in the final month of the race, including funds linked to pro-Israel PACs, yet DeGette's nearly three-to-one spending advantage in the final stretch was not enough to secure her seat.
Truthout
Politico
Reuters
Kiros's win follows progressive primary victories in New York, where candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani defeated incumbents including Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat. Her victory is the seventh primary win this cycle for Justice Democrats.
Salon.com
Breitbart
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries congratulated Kiros after her win, despite having backed DeGette, while Kiros said she would not vote for any Democrat in a leadership position who accepts corporate PAC money.
Democracy Now
The Washington Examiner

Sources Split

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The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

Melat Kiros's landslide win over a 15-term incumbent proves Democratic voters are done waiting for establishment politicians to deliver. Corporate PAC money and last-minute dark money couldn't stop a grassroots movement demanding Medicare for All, universal child care and an end to billionaire influence in politics. Denver sent a clear message that the future belongs to candidates who actually fight for working people.

Bernie Sanders on X

Truthout

Democracy Now

Right narrative

Kiros called 9/11 "inevitable," refused to label a firebombing of Jewish marchers antisemitic and was fired from her law firm for defending calls to eliminate Israel, and now she's headed to Congress. This takeover of safe Democratic seats hands Republicans a ready-made attack line heading into November. Moderate Democrats are right to sound the alarm as socialists systematically dismantle the party's electability.

FOX News

Breitbart

Nikki Haley on X

Jewish News Syndicate (JNS)