“Coloradoans have once again made their voices clear. We are not going to accept Trump's broken promises and cost of living emergency, or his constant corruption.
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Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros Unseats 15-Term Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado 1st District Primary
June 30, 2026
On June 30, 2026, 29-year-old democratic socialist and first-time candidate Melat Kiros defeated 15-term incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for Colorado's Denver-based 1st Congressional District. The Associated Press called the race at 10:03 p.m., with Kiros leading roughly 49.3% to DeGette's 43.5%, a margin of about six points, with Wanda James third. Kiros, a lawyer who immigrated from Ethiopia as an infant, was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Democratic Socialists of America, and Justice Democrats, and built her campaign from viral Instagram videos into a volunteer operation that knocked on roughly 100,000 doors. The upset ended DeGette's nearly three-decade career in Congress and marked one of the biggest wins to date for the DSA-aligned left. Kiros is now heavily favored in the solidly Democratic district's November general election.
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“I want to congratulate Melat Kiros for her victory last night, and I want to wish her all the best in her future.
“Frankly, this was not the way I would have wanted to end my career in politics, but I'm proud of my accomplishments from protecting the environment and cleaning up toxic waste to jumpstarting research that will cure previously deadly diseases to fighting for reproductive rights.
“Melat Kiros was raised in a working-class immigrant household, and she knows that the current political and economic systems are broken and need bold reform. That's why she'll be a great ally in Congress fighting for a progressive agenda that addresses working families' needs.
“Denver voters of all ages, of all races and all religions sent a clear message: we will not wait. We will not wait to take the fight to Donald Trump. We will not wait to abolish ICE and pass Medicare for all. We will not wait to end the genocide.