Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros Defeats 15-Term Incumbent Diana DeGette in Colorado House Primary

Jul 1, 2026

In a major political upset on June 30, 2026, democratic socialist Melat Kiros defeated 15-term incumbent Diana DeGette in Colorado's 1st Congressional District Democratic primary. Kiros, a 29-year-old Ethiopian immigrant and lawyer, campaigned on progressive policies like Medicare for All and ending military aid to Israel. Her victory highlights a growing progressive wave within the Democratic Party, though centrist Senator John Hickenlooper successfully fended off his own primary challenger.

Kiros primary victory over DeGette

▪Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old Ethiopian immigrant, lawyer, and doctoral student, is poised to become the first Gen Z woman elected to Congress.
▪Diana DeGette, a 68-year-old who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997, lost her reelection bid to Melat Kiros.
▪Democratic socialist Melat Kiros defeated 15-term incumbent Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for Colorado's 1st Congressional District on June 30, 2026.

Progressive wave in Democratic primaries

▪Justice Democrats and the Democratic Socialists of America endorsed Melat Kiros in her primary campaign against Diana DeGette.
▪Melat Kiros's victory follows Democratic primary wins by Democratic Socialists of America-endorsed candidates Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez in New York City.
▪State Representative Chris Rabb won the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District in May 2026 with backing from the Democratic Socialists of America.

Kiros policy platform

▪Melat Kiros rejected campaign donations from corporate political action committees and pro-Israel lobbying groups, criticizing Diana DeGette for accepting funds from defense contractors.
▪Melat Kiros campaigned on economic populist policies, including universal healthcare, universal childcare, abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and ending U.S. military aid to Israel.
▪Melat Kiros was fired from a New York law firm in 2023 after refusing to remove a blog post defending law students protesting against Israel.

Hickenlooper Senate primary win

▪John Hickenlooper will face Republican state Senator Mark Baisley, who ran unopposed, in the November 2026 Senate election.
▪Incumbent U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper defeated a progressive primary challenge from state Senator Julie Gonzales on June 30, 2026.

Rutinel House primary victory

▪Manny Rutinel will face Republican Representative Gabe Evans in the November 2026 election for Colorado's 8th Congressional District.
▪Progressive state Representative Manny Rutinel defeated moderate Shannon Bird in the Democratic primary for Colorado's 8th Congressional District on June 30, 2026.

Colorado gubernatorial primary outcome

▪Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated U.S. Senator Michael Bennet in the Democratic primary to succeed term-limited Governor Jared Polis.
▪Phil Weiser campaigned by accusing Michael Bennet of failing to take a sufficiently hard line against Donald Trump's cabinet nominees.