Melat Kiros defeated longtime Rep. Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District on Tuesday. In the governor’s race, state Attorney General Phil Weiser upset Sen. Michael Bennet.
Kiros, a 29-year-old democratic socialist and political newcomer, secured the nomination with roughly 51 percent of the vote to DeGette’s 42 percent. The win continues a streak for DSA-backed candidates after similar victories in New York the previous week.
Weiser defeated Bennet by 56 percent to 44 percent. The attorney general had emphasized lawsuits against the Trump administration and positioned himself as an outsider despite Bennet’s fundraising advantage.
Kiros told supporters that Denver voters sent a clear message against waiting for change. She pledged to pursue universal healthcare, end ICE, and stop U.S. support for what she called genocide in Palestine.
DeGette had served in Congress since 1997. Bennet, a senator since 2009, will return to his Senate seat after the loss.
