Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old democratic socialist backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated seven-term incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado's 1st Congressional District primary Tuesday, according to a race call by the Associated Press.
The victory follows last week's DSA-backed wins in New York state assembly primaries and comes as progressive candidates across multiple Colorado races outperformed expectations against establishment-aligned Democrats.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans are watching the Democratic divide with interest as they seek to maintain their razor-thin House majority heading into November's midterms. In Colorado's 8th Congressional District, a competitive seat that Cook Political Report rates as a "toss up," Democrats nominated state Rep. Manny Rutinel over fellow Democrat Shannon Bird.
Republican Christy Peterson ran unopposed in the heavily Democratic 1st Congressional District and will face Kiros in November. Republican Rep. Gabe Evans also ran unopposed in his party's primary for CO-8, setting up a general election contest against Rutinel.
"This is exactly the kind of internal chaos Democrats need heading into the midterms," said one Republican National Committee spokesperson in a statement. "While they're fighting amongst themselves, Republicans are united."
The GOP gubernatorial primary remains too close to call between state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, Marine Corps veteran Victor Marx, and state Sen. Scott Bottoms.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive groups celebrated Kiros's win as evidence of continued momentum for democratic socialist candidates within the Democratic Party. The DSA, which backed Kiros along with Justice Democrats, has now notched victories in New York and Colorado within a one-week span.
"Working families are ready for new leadership that will fight for universal health care, child care, and elder care," Kiros said during her campaign, arguing for generational change in Congress. She also committed to not accepting any corporate PAC money.
In the gubernatorial race, state Attorney General Phil Weiser positioned himself as the Democratic nominee by highlighting lawsuits he oversaw against opioid producers and companies committing consumer fraud. "Coloradans want a governor who will stand up to every challenge," Weiser said in a statement following his primary win.
The DSA celebrated on social media, writing: "Today, the East Coast, next week the Mountain West." The group has now successfully challenged incumbents in multiple states over the past two weeks.
What the Numbers Show
DeGette has served in Congress for nearly 30 years, first elected in 1996. She was a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
The House currently stands at 218 Republicans, 212 Democrats, one independent, and four vacancies. Colorado's 8th District is one of only 18 districts nationwide rated as a "toss up" by Cook Political Report.
Kiros is 29 years old. DeGette was first elected four months before Kiros was born.
The district is about 40 percent Latino. Rutinel touted his Dominican background during the primary campaign, arguing he would better represent the constituency than his opponent Bird.
Bennet has two years remaining on his current Senate term regardless of the gubernatorial outcome.
The Bottom Line
Tuesday's results mark another chapter in an ongoing realignment within Democratic primaries, where progressive challengers backed by groups like DSA and Justice Democrats have repeatedly defeated incumbents seen as Washington insiders.
The outcomes could complicate Democratic efforts to retake the House majority in November. In CO-1, Republicans face a democratic socialist nominee rather than a more moderate Democrat who might have broader appeal in the general election. Meanwhile, Rutinel's advancement gives Democrats a chance to compete in a district they believe they can flip blue.
Bennet, a former 2020 presidential primary candidate, will return to his Senate seat for at least two more years unless he resigns before term ends. The senator had argued that if elected governor, he could choose his own Senate replacement and pledged to select someone under 50 years old.