DSA-Backed Challenger Unseats Longtime Democratic Incumbent in Colorado Primary

Representative Diana DeGette, a Colorado Democrat who has served in Congress for three decades, was defeated in a high-profile primary election on Tuesday evening by a challenger supported by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old socialist, prevailed over DeGette in the Democratic primary for a reliably progressive House district centered in Denver, according to The Associated Press. This outcome represents a notable triumph for the socialist movement within the Democratic Party.

The DSA had previously indicated its intention to frame DeGette’s potential loss as evidence of its expanding influence, particularly after a series of socialist candidates achieved victories in Democratic primaries in New York City just last week.

“Today, the East Coast, next week the Mountain West,” the DSA posted on social media in the preceding week, signaling its growing ambitions.

If she wins the general election in November, Kiros, who was born in Ethiopia, is expected to join the ranks of the progressive congressional group known as the Squad, becoming one of a few outspoken socialists in the House of Representatives.

A Rising Progressive Voice

The millennial candidate received endorsements from prominent progressive figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), as well as the anti-incumbent leftist organization Justice Democrats. Controversial socialist streamer Hasan Piker, known for past remarks such as stating Hamas is “a thousand times better” than Israel and praising the Chinese Communist Party, also supported Kiros’s insurgent primary campaign.

DeGette, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus who advocates for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), had sought a 16th term by emphasizing her own progressive credentials. She contended that her seniority on a powerful House committee would enable her to advance Medicare-for-All legislation, a long-standing objective of the party’s far-left wing.

DeGette, who was endorsed by former CPC Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), also highlighted her experience serving as an impeachment manager during former President Trump’s second impeachment trial in 2021.

While DeGette and Kiros held few substantive policy disagreements, their views diverged sharply on issues concerning Israel and antisemitism. Kiros also frequently criticized DeGette for accepting contributions from corporate PACs.

Controversial Stances on Global Events

Kiros, who is a PhD student and lawyer, was dismissed from a New York law firm in 2023 after she authored an open letter. In the letter, she contended that pro-Palestinian student protestors advocating for the elimination of Israel were not antisemitic and appeared to defend Hamas.

She has also characterized the October 7, 2023, attacks against Israel as the “inevitable consequence of apartheid.” Additionally, she declined to label as antisemitic the deadly firebombing of protestors in Boulder last year who were calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

“I don’t know what was in the heart of the perpetrator,” Kiros stated in a recent television interview with Colorado’s 9News. “All I know is that he went and attacked innocent people because of what they might have believed.”

A bipartisan resolution passed in June 2025, which condemned the Boulder attack as part of a “rise in ideologically motivated attacks on Jewish individuals,” received support from every lawmaker present, with the exception of Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who voted present.

Kiros has also suggested that the United States bore responsibility for the September 11 attacks.

“Inevitable in the sense that we destabilized a lot of the Middle East that forced people to believe that another act of violence was the only response,” Kiros told 9News when questioned if she believed the terror attack was “the inevitable consequence of American foreign policy.”

“And again, just like I said before, our responsibility is to get rid of those conditions that lead to violence in the first place,” Kiros continued.

DeGette asserted that Kiros’s association with Piker and her comments regarding antisemitism and 9/11 were disqualifying.

“I’m shocked and disgusted that Kiros is doubling down on excusing terrorism and the murder of innocent people,” the 30-year incumbent wrote on Facebook earlier this month.

District Dynamics

Colorado’s 1st Congressional District stands as the most liberal electoral area in the state, having voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris by a margin of 56 points in 2024.

The primary contest was further complicated by the candidacy of University of Colorado Regent Wanda James, who was also vying for DeGette’s seat. Although James was not perceived as posing the same level of threat as Kiros, her share of the vote could ultimately have influenced the final outcome.