Democratic socialist Melat Kiros defeats longtime US House incumbent in Colorado

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 1:53 AM EDT, July 1, 2026


Democratic socialist Melat Kiros beat U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette in a Colorado House primary Tuesday, a stunning victory for the first-time candidate against a nearly 30-year incumbent and another win for progressive challengers across the country.

Kiros, a 29-year-old lawyer turned doctoral student, is the latest candidate to rise from the party’s left flank and boot establishment-backed candidates. That includes two self-described democratic socialists and a progressive who won their Democratic primaries in New York last week.

Kiros’ victory adds to a nascent but clear uprising, stirred by frustration among some voters, that has vexed party leadership. Colorado’s 1st Congressional District covers the dark blue city of Denver, and Kiros is expected to win in November and reach Congress in January. “We are winning from coast to coast,” Kiros said to an ecstatic audience and the blast of air horns. “We are taking back our party and our country!”

There were mixed results for progressives in Tuesday’s other races. Sen. John Hickenlooper fended off a primary challenge from self-fashioned “insurgent progressive” state Sen. Julie Gonzales. And a smaller divide separated the two Democrats competing for U.S. House in the state’s lone swing district, where the candidate considered more progressive, state Rep. Manny Rutinel, won.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/colorado-democratic-socialist-primary-degette-governor-8a77cdb9943f99b70c74fbf811f1bbe3

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Unseating DeGette is a biggy. She has been an institution in Congress for decades, particularly on the Energy and Commerce Committee under both John Dingell and Henry Waxman (that had oversight over my agency and I watched countless hours of hearings on CSPAN with her to learn in advance what would be my future work assignments ).

It's slowly starting to feel like the Democrats' version of the 2010 GOP insurgency.

[hlthe2b]

1. Bernie endorsed her, but AOC backed DeGette. I think that says something to all the MSM

that want to simplify this into one thing or the other...

Ironically, the strident ads against DeGette were all accusations of big money interests (yes, there MAY have been not-too-subtle messages being sent there), yet, I have a feeling there will have been a LOT of big money backing Kiros as well. I honestly heard good messaging on a lot of issues from the newcomer, Kiros, but if I am to be honest, she made me apprehensive as well. Smart and youthful, definitely. Biting? Yes, but she was challenging a long-time incumbent. But, if AOC didn't support her, I have a feeling something my subconscious is picking up on may have been shared... Hopefully, we are both wrong and she will be not only what her Denver District needs, but Congress in general. We shall see. Having volunteered for DeGette several times in the past, I am a bit sad...

[Celerity]

8. AOC did not endorse DeGette. DeGette ran a misleading advert that implied she did.

Link to tweet

Look at DeGette's ofgicial endorsement page as well. She does not list AOC, which she surely would if AOC had done so.

https://degette.com/endorsements/

[hlthe2b]

12. I HEARD AOC say so. Am I LYING? I LIVE AND VOTE IN COLORADO. TO HELL WITH THIS!!!!

May 22, 2025 Denver Civic Center Park. Were YOU there?!!!

[DrFunkenstein]

16. My One-Second Google Search Says She Did Not

I don't want to start any friction, but AOC wasn't there in May (which is already a long time before the primary).

The Oligarchy rally was held at the Civic Center on Friday, March 21, 2025.

[hlthe2b]

20. That is really obnoxious. I made a typo, for God's sakes. CIVIC CENTER PARK March, 2025

Go be abusive to someone else

https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/03/sanders-and-aoc-draw-largest-crowd-for-a-political-rally-in-colorado-since-2008/68372/

[DrFunkenstein]

23. I Said As Much

I didn't want to create friction by suggesting you were lying, but the date puts the event even further away from the primary. If it were an endorsement, surely it would have been made much closer to the date. It's usually 6 months to maybe 9 months out, not 16 months out.

[hlthe2b]

24. Neither you nor Celerity has shown a written endorsement by AOC of KIRIS

AOC did provide verbal support for DeGette, yet you claim she endorsed Kiris. PROVE IT. OR perhaps your claims of lies need to be pointed back at YOURSELVES!

[DrFunkenstein]

28. I Never Said Anything About Nothing

I merely did a quick Google search to see who was right, not really knowing the answer. The results came up negative, and I pointed out that it didn't make sense that AOC would endorse so far out. I never suggested anything about AOC endorsing Kiros.

Take it down a few notches. I'm not out to get you. I was just curious about any split between Bernie and AOC.

[hlthe2b]

29. Kindly read your last post and perhaps rethink "suggesting" fellow Duers are lying rather

than assuming a "May" versus "March" typo. Do you remember every precise date in your life? Do you never commit a typo on DU? Do you just find one small error and decide that you are right to accuse a fellow DUer of ANYTHING more than a simple typo? What goes around comes around, DrFunkenstein. Your fellow Duers may not give YOU benefi-of-the-doubt next time either and you can see how THAT feels. And NO, I will not "take it down a notch" when you accuse me of lying because of a simple typo. So, no. There is no "gotcha."

[DrFunkenstein]

31. Again, I Didn't Accuse You Of Lying

I don't know you from Adam. I pointed out the discrepancy and suggested that the discrepancy made it even less likely that AOC made an endorsement, not as some sort of character attack on you. Life is too short to waste my time attacking anonymous people online.

However, I am very interested if there is any significant split between two leaders of the progressive movement, which is why I made the comment. It would have been noteworthy if they had competing endorsements, but clearly they did not here despite what seems to be a misunderstanding made in good faith.

[Avalon Sparks]

46. Chill out

Geez, over react much?

[hlthe2b]

47. Butt in, much? I'll bet your friends/family/work colleagues just LOVE that.

Is that you, Mrs. Kravitz?

[Celerity]

17. That was NOT an endorsement of DeGette for this primary.

Your date in May 2025 (which, per post 16, is not even the correct date for the AOC tour speech, it was even earlier, in March of 2025) was before Melat Kiros even entered the race in July 2025.

https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/07/09/denver-democrat-diana-degette-draws-primary-challenge-call-for-new-generation-from-melat-kiros-fa6c7d97-e15d-4a61-823b-f483222ccbea/

As I already have shown. AOC is not listed on DeGette's own website list of endorsers.

AOC did not endorse DeGette in this race.

[hlthe2b]

21. CIVIC CENTER PARK, March 2025. She intro'd DeGette and espoused on her Liberal/Progressive

Creds, awed over her and how much they worked together and how she had HER (AOC) support.

After Bernie so overtly chose to support Kiros, that is all the press reported.

[hlthe2b]

22. That I had a typo for March doesn't negate I WAS THERE IN CIVIC CENTER PARK

Spring, 2025.

YOU SURE THE HELL WERE NOT. Hell you aren't even in the US, much less Colorado, much less Denver and you sure don't know anything about Colorado politics, assuming as you do that DeGette was a centrist or Right-leaning Democrat. She was anything of the kind. This is fucking Denver. No Dem gets elected here that isn't progressive and THAT is why AOC was so supportive of her.

[BumRushDaShow]

37. I have a link to a progressive tracker site for members of Congress

The site is "Progressive Punch" - https://progressivepunch.org/

And you can sort the table of members by Chamber and see a "progressive score" assigned to their voting records that align with progressive ideals (selectable for "overall" vs "crucial" or for "lifetime/career" vs the current Congressional session).

For lifetime/overall, DeGette scores 86/212 with a grade of "A" for her district - https://progressivepunch.org/scores.htm?topic=&house=house&sort=overall-lifetime&order=down&party=D

For Current/overall, DeGette is tied with Joaquin Castro for 18th place out of 212, and with a grade of "A" - https://progressivepunch.org/scores.htm?topic=&house=house&sort=overall-current&order=down&party=D

(and she comes in 2 slots ABOVE AOC (who is tied for 20th place in the numerical score) for the current session)

Am thinking it's all an age/anti-boomer thing (she is on the younger side of boomers though vs the lead group who are turning 80 this year)

[hlthe2b]

41. Yes.. The ageism is rampant right now. I have no issue with Kiros or any other of the current winners-

to the extent I know what I need to know about them--which can be hard for a newcomer who emerges only during a primary. But, she is energetic, a competent attorney and well educated. She espouses many of the positions that I was looking for--not unlike DeGette. The difference is that DeGette was experienced in trying to get things done in a difficult Congressional setting. Might Kiros be more effective given she is new to the challenges of the setting? Perhaps. If Dems take the House, she certainly would be working in a very different environment from our current Congressional Dem Reps.

But, I think the dishonest and disingenuous--or at least ill-informed-- attacks on DeGette's progressive record are not worthy of DUers. And that she is older does not mean she is "out-of-touch." She certainly is NOT a rightward-leaning or centrist Democrat. That so many of these comments are coming from those who know nothing about Denver politics--and even just the minimum about Colorado politics yet feel free to scold or "educate" the voters here is just abysmal.

The RW will create strawmen and lie about our representatives and other Dem politicians. Can we kindly NOT do it for them?

Regardless, I congratulate soon-to-be Representative Kiros and wish her the best of luck representing the people of her District in Denver. Likewise I hope Diana DeGette will find ways to continue working for the people of Denver, Colorado, and the Nation--in a very difficult time.

[BumRushDaShow]

45. Congress is definitely going to be unrecognizable next year

The record-setting pace of retirements from Congress continues, led by Republicans

Not counting the CO election, there are 72 not returning (14 Senators + 58 House members).

[hlthe2b]

26. WHERE IS THE PROOF that AOC (IN WRITING) ENDORSED KIRIS? Yet, you insinuate I AM LYING?!!!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Kindly take a long look. You sure like to throw those accusations of lying around, don't you? First accusations toward DeGette, and now me, a fellow DUer. Anyone else?

I fucking heard AOC provide support for DeGette--even if it was not during the primary. Until you show a written endorsement for Kiris by AOC, then you have NO reason to believe her support for DeGette ended at the primary--even if Bernie did endorse her. AOC and Bernie work well together, but that does NOT mean an endorsement by one is an endorsement by both.

[Celerity]

33. I never once claimed AOC endorsed Kiros. AOC did not endorse anyone in this particular primary race.

[hlthe2b]

35. Uh, huh. Sure. You be you, Celerity. What goes around comes around...

And you, too may be the object of unfair accusations by other DUers for no reason.

[Celerity]

36. I have made no accusations whatsoever about you. I just disagree about the AOC endorsing DeGette claim.

Cheers,

Cel

[wolfie001]

13. AOC and Khanna were being respectful to a fellow colleague whom they worked with in the past

I'm shocked! I'm sure both will be quite happy to work with the winner.

[Mysterian]

52. Old timers better start listening to the youngsters

or they'll get shown the door.

[QueerDuck]

2. Colorado's 1st District is very very blue and widely considered to be the safest Democratic seat in the entire state.

It's centered entirely on the city of Denver. Because of the overwhelming progressive and left-leaning voter base in this urban area, winning the Democratic primary is pretty much the same as winning the seat itself.

[luv2fly]

3. Congrats to Melat Kiros

The country needs more intelligent, progressive, energetic and driven Democrats. I wish her only well.

The country is hungry for change. Let's capitalize on that and not piss on the success of the DSA.

[rampartd]

5. have you ever bought a rug?

muslims are the most capitalist people on earth.

[wolfie001]

14. Seems like a lot of *post removed* have cropped up lately

And I'm always late for the tea. Carry on

[bluestarone]

27. Yea. I would like to see someone answer the name in a answer thread BEFORE it gets removed so

We know who it was. I mean like saying something like hey Blank blank that post could be removed, so we knew who it was?

[wolfie001]

34. Agreed! nt

[BumRushDaShow]

38. It was a hit and run newly joined RW troll

who got banned and then came back for another ban.

[rampartd]

40. i was on his jury

saw the post was still up and replied.

i wonder if he was alerted twice?

[BumRushDaShow]

50. Probably had a pile of alerts

[bluestarone]

49. TY

Nice to know who to look for!!

[rampartd]

39. whoever it was said something about "islamo socialists"

which is not much of a thing as far as i know.

[Pisces]

43. Very racist post!!!!!!!

[SouthBayDem]

48. Kiros was born in Ethiopia, a majority Christian country.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Ethiopia

It's easy to misconstrue the culture over there considering its neighbor countries like Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea are majority Muslim. I couldn't find any solid info if she practices any religion.

But take a look at the countries on P01135809's travel ban list, and compare it to a map of eastern Africa.

[Queso Delicioso]

9. Let's hear it for the new blood!

It's time for a shake-up; time and past time.

[LuvLoogie]

11. The Democratic base is done being frustrated, done being steered into the shoals by political strategists.

The pragmatism of liberty and justice for all might actually get put into practice by our new political participants.

[SamuelAdams]

15. Let's hope November goes as well for us as 2010 went for the GOP.

[DrFunkenstein]

18. Chris Cillizza Is a Total Wienie, But Even He Says This Is Where All The Dem Energy Is

I still follow him from time to time on YouTube because I feel like he is a pure political junkie without a massive lean in any direction, so he's a decent barometer.

It was unexpected to hear him say this week that the dem socialists are basically selling what people want to buy right now with their economic populism and focus on actual policies centered on affordability.

[moonshinegnomie]

19. its like when teh GOP had their "tea party"

and got rid of a lot of incumbents. the dems are going thru the same thing. people are tired of a political ruling class of entrenched incumbents that have fiddled while rome has burned. they want new people.

[Crowman2009]

25. It's more like a coffee party!

I remember shortly after this whole tea party debacle started, a bunch of progressives on Facebook started a group named The Coffee Party. You could say that they had better flayvah.

?is=7x4pZeiU6Eh9hCrU

[OrlandoDem2]

30. Candidates who are forcefully addressing affordability with actual ideas are being rewarded.

I don’t know much about the recent DSA primary races or winners. But my guess is they’re addressing real issues.

I personally do not want any candidate running in a Democratic primary with outlandish social media posts they feel they need to delete, however. Either own what you said or don’t say it.

[TBF]

32. The mood is VERY anti-incumbent right now -

average people who work for a living (whether white, blue collar - whatever) are not liking the crazy increasing prices of gas, groceries, housing, etc. Many were very clear when they voted for Trump that they are looking for lower prices and fewer foreign wars.

This is where you see that there really are moderates in this country and they are paying attention. And I'm good with dem or dem soc - let's pick the candidate with the best chance of winning and support them. I pray this keeps up through November.

[republianmushroom]

42. This has to smart.

[ananda]

44. "due to frustration by MANY goodminded voters"

There, fixed it.

[creeksneakers2]

51. I'd rather we were concentrating on stopping the Republicans.