Kiros unseats DeGette in Colorado Democratic primary
Melat Kiros defeated 15-term Representative Diana DeGette in a Denver-area primary, according to US media projections cited by Reuters.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Melat Kiros, a democratic socialist, defeated 15-term US Representative Diana DeGette in a Democratic primary for a Denver-area congressional district, according to US media projections reported by Reuters. The result adds another primary win for the party’s left wing over a long-serving Democratic incumbent.
Reuters reported that multiple media outlets called Tuesday’s race after 78 percent of ballots had been counted. At that point, Kiros led DeGette by nearly 7,000 votes.
Kiros, 29, is a former lawyer who moved to the United States from Ethiopia as a baby, Reuters reported. She is now favored to win the November election in the heavily Democratic district, according to Reuters.
A campaign shaped by Israel and party divisions
Reuters reported that Kiros drew attention during the race for her criticism of Democrats who support Israel and for her alliance with socialist political commentator Hasan Piker. Kiros has described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, according to Reuters.
Reuters also reported that Kiros was fired from her job after she refused to take down a post criticizing law firms over their positions on Israel and Palestine. The report did not name the law firm or provide further details about the firing.
The Colorado result follows other recent primary wins by candidates on the left of the Democratic Party, Reuters reported. In New York City, three candidates connected to the Democratic Socialists of America and backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their primaries, according to Reuters.
Other Colorado primary results
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated US Senator Michael Bennet for the Democratic nomination for governor, according to US media projections reported by Reuters. Reuters reported that Weiser raised and spent more money than Bennet in a contest centered largely on who was better positioned to oppose President Donald Trump.
Reuters reported that Trump froze federal funds to Colorado and vetoed a major drinking water project in the state. Weiser argued that he had challenged the Trump administration in court, including over the funding freeze and Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship, according to Reuters.
Weiser is expected to win the governor’s race in November, Reuters reported. Colorado voters have moved toward Democrats in elections over the past two decades, according to Reuters.
In another closely watched race, state Representative Manny Rutinel won the Democratic nomination to face Republican US Representative Gabe Evans in a competitive district, according to projections reported by Reuters. Democrats see the seat as a leading pickup opportunity in the November 3 midterm elections, Reuters reported.
Rutinel, described by Reuters as a progressive, defeated former state Representative Shannon Bird, a moderate, in a campaign focused heavily on immigration. The district covers Denver’s northern suburbs and nearby rural areas and is nearly 40 percent Latino, according to Reuters.
Evans narrowly won the seat in 2024 and holds a large fundraising edge, Reuters reported. Campaign filings cited by Reuters showed Evans with $3.4 million in cash on hand, compared with $910,000 for Rutinel.
Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, according to Reuters. Democrats need a net gain of three seats to take the US House in November and four to win the Senate, Reuters reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.