Democratic Socialists Win Denver House Primary as Colorado Gubernatorial Race Shapes Up
A 29-year-old democratic socialist defeated long-time incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in Denver, while Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser secured the Democratic nomination for governor.
Voters in Denver’s 1st Congressional District chose 29-year-old political newcomer Melat Kiros, a democratic socialist, over incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette, ending DeGette’s nearly 30-year tenure in the House. Kiros ran on a platform that emphasized universal health care, child-care and elder-care support for working families and pledged to reject corporate PAC money.
In Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, a heavily Latino and competitive seat, state Rep. Manny Rutinel won the Democratic nomination to face Republican Rep. Gabe Evans in November. The district, rated a "toss-up" by the Cook Political Report, could influence the balance of power in the U.S. House.
The Democratic gubernatorial primary concluded with Attorney General Phil Weiser emerging as the party’s nominee, defeating U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet. Weiser’s campaign highlighted his oversight of lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and consumer-fraud companies. Bennet, a former 2020 presidential candidate, noted he could appoint his Senate replacement if elected governor.
The Republican governor’s primary remains undecided, with state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, Marine Corps veteran Victor Marx and state Sen. Scott Bottoms competing for the nomination. Marx, who has not previously held elected office, has drawn criticism over claims about his background.
