Key facts
- Melat Kiros defeated 15-term incumbent Diana DeGette in a Colorado House primary.
- Kiros, a Democratic socialist, campaigned on issues including US support for Israel.
- Outside groups spent approximately $2.3 million to support DeGette.
- Kiros is endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders and progressive groups like Justice Democrats.
- Other Colorado primary results included Phil Weiser defeating Michael Bennet for the Senate nomination and John Hickenlooper winning his Senate primary.
Progressive Democrat Melat Kiros has defeated 15-term incumbent Diana DeGette in a Colorado House primary, marking a significant victory for the Justice Democrats and highlighting internal debates within the Democratic party. Kiros, a 29-year-old lawyer endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, won despite being outspent by outside groups supporting DeGette. The race featured prominent discussion on US support for Israel, with Kiros calling for an arms embargo and DeGette defending Israel's right to self-defense.
Kiros's campaign sought to frame the race as a generational challenge to the 68-year-old DeGette. Kiros's past comments regarding a firebombing attack on pro-Israel demonstrators and the 9/11 attacks drew criticism from DeGette's campaign. Kiros is considered heavily favored to win the general election in the deep-blue district.
In other Colorado primaries, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated U.S. Senator Michael Bennet for the Democratic Senate nomination, while incumbent Senator John Hickenlooper secured his re-nomination over state Senator Julie Gonzales. State Representative Manny Rutinel also won his primary contest.