Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros Unseats 15-Term Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado 1st District Primary
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.