Melat Kiros Defeats Longtime Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado Democratic Primary]

Democratic socialist Melat Kiros has unseated 15-term U.S. Representative Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for a Denver-area Colorado district, according to U.S. media projections. The race was called by multiple outlets after 78 percent of votes were counted, with Kiros leading by nearly 7,000 votes.

Kiros, a 29-year-old former lawyer who moved to the U.S. from Ethiopia as an infant, previously worked as a legal professional before being terminated from her position following her public criticism of law firms’ positions on Israel and Palestine. She has called Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide and criticised fellow Democrats for their support of Israel during its conflict with Hamas.

The primary victory represents the latest in a series of leftist challengers defeating establishment Democrats this summer. In related New York City primary results, three candidates tied to the Democratic Socialists of America—including Zohran Mamdani, who received an endorsement from Mayor Eric Adams—won their races.

In Colorado, Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated U.S. Senator Michael Bennet in the gubernatorial Democratic primary. Weier’s campaign focused on defending Colorado against the Trump administration, including lawsuits challenging federal funding freezes and efforts to end birthright citizenship. He is expected to win the November governorship.

State Representative Manny Rutinel also secured the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Representative Gabe Evans in a competitive district encompassing parts of Denver’s northern suburbs and surrounding rural areas, which is nearly 40 percent Latino. Rutinel defeated moderate former Representative Shannon Bird in a campaign centered on immigration issues.

The Democratic Party aims to gain control of the House by netting three seats and four seats in the Senate in November’s elections.

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