Radical Socialist Melat Kiros Topples Veteran Democrat in Colorado Primary
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Thirty-year-old Melat Kiros, a self-described democratic socialist with radical views, defeated 15-term Democrat Diana DeGette in Denver’s 1st District primary, raising concerns about the direction of the Democratic Party ahead of November.
Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old democratic socialist with a far-left agenda, secured the Democratic nomination for Colorado’s 1st congressional district by unseating long-serving Representative Diana DeGette in Tuesday’s primary. The district, which covers most of Denver, is overwhelmingly Democratic, making Kiros’s win a likely preview of her election in November and a troubling sign for moderates.
Kiros, originally from Ethiopia and a recent graduate of Notre Dame Law School, entered politics after a dispute with her former law firm over a controversial blog post defending anti-Israel campus protests. Her campaign was backed by far-left figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, the Democratic Socialists of America, and the Justice Democrats, all known for their radical stances and hostility toward American allies.
"Melat and our candidates continue winning this cycle because Democratic voters are finally getting leaders acting on their demands to bring the fight to the corporations raising our prices, the war lobbies profiting off endless war & genocide, and the immigration gestapo terrorizing our communities," said Alexandra Rojas, executive director of Justice Democrats, highlighting the divisive rhetoric fueling the party’s leftward lurch.
Kiros made attacking U.S. support for Israel a central plank of her campaign, calling for an arms embargo on America’s key Middle Eastern ally. DeGette, while opposing offensive weapons, at least recognized Israel’s right to defend itself, unlike her radical challenger.
The primary also included other notable races: Attorney General Phil Weiser narrowly defeated Senator Michael Bennet for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and state Rep. Manny Rutinel won a contested primary in the state’s most competitive House district. Incumbent Senator John Hickenlooper fended off a progressive challenger, but the Democratic Party’s shift to the left was clear.
Kiros’s win is part of a disturbing trend of far-left activists ousting experienced Democratic incumbents, raising questions about the party’s future direction.
