In a surprising political upset, Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old socialist with strong anti-Israel views, has unseated 15-term incumbent Representative Diana DeGette in the Colorado primary elections held Tuesday night. Following her victory, Kiros declared she will not back House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as the Democratic Party leader.
“I refuse to support any leadership figure accepting corporate PAC funds. This is a critical issue for me, and I am unwavering in my stance. It’s time to establish a new standard,” asserted Kiros, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, during an interview with Politico. Throughout her campaign, she was vocal in her critique of established Democratic leaders.
Kiros’s victory marks a significant triumph for the far-left faction, which has been making inroads by challenging entrenched Democrats in staunchly Democratic territories. This trend is evident in New York City, where three progressive candidates supported by Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently secured primary victories.
These election outcomes have the potential to shift the Democratic caucus in the House towards more progressive policies after the midterm elections, a development that could pose a threat to Jeffries’ position as the party’s leader.
Ahead of the election results, Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, noted to reporters on Monday that DeGette, whose tenure began before Kiros was even born, had been vigorously advocating for her re-election.
The Brooklyn representative also blamed President Trump for the “unsettled electoral environment” wreaking havoc on incumbent Democrats.
“It’s not a surprise that there are highly competitive primaries in deep blue parts of the country that are also unfolding this cycle,” he said.
Kiros, an Ethiopia-born Ph.D. student and former attorney backed by socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), has called for an end of US aid to Israel, abolishing ICE, universal healthcare and “publicly financed elections.”
She viral in the weeks after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack after she as fired from her New York law firm for writing an open letter arguing that calling for the elimination of Israel isn’t antisemitic.
Kiros is expected to cruise in the general election, as Colorado’s 1st District is rated solidly Democratic by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.