Melat Kiros has won the Democratic primary in the Denver-area district for the U.S. House, as confirmed by an AP race call. Kiros, a new face in politics and a democratic socialist, is likely to become the first Gen Z woman elected to Congress. She won against Diana DeGette, a 15-term incumbent Democrat, in the primary race for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District.
The district, primarily located within Denver, is predominantly Democratic. Kiros, a 29-year-old Ph.D. student and lawyer, is expected to proceed to Washington, D.C., next year. She will succeed DeGette, 68, who has been in office since 1997, the year Kiros was born. The upset victory reflects a wider shift within the Democratic Party, where notable incumbents are feeling the pressure to yield to more progressive and younger candidates who promise to challenge longstanding political practices.
As an Ethiopian immigrant, Kiros supports economic populist initiatives such as universal healthcare and childcare. She also advocates for controversial positions like disbanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement and ceasing U.S. military assistance to Israel. Kiros has rejected financial contributions from corporate PACs and pro-Israel lobbyists, and she has been critical of DeGette’s acceptance of donations from defense, energy, and pharmaceutical companies.
In defense of her tenure, DeGette highlighted her progressive achievements in healthcare and climate policy on the campaign trail. However, her efforts were not enough to secure reelection, as announced by the AP race call.
Kiros’ win in Colorado is a significant achievement for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). This victory follows closely after two DSA-backed candidates succeeded in their Democratic primary bids for House races in New York City. Darializa Avila Chevalier narrowly defeated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat, and Claire Valdez won in the race to replace retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez. In May, DSA also celebrated when state Rep. Chris Rabb won the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes part of Philadelphia.
If Kiros wins in November, she will become part of a small but potentially expanding group of democratic socialists in Congress. Currently, only Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib identify as democratic socialists. Kiros would also be the second Gen Zer to join the House, alongside Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost, elected in 2022.
Kiros emphasized during an NPR interview in February that her campaign’s policies resonate strongly with younger voters. She stated, “Young people understand that we are in the fight of our lives. We need to have leaders that are going to be fighting for the kind of bold policies that actually get something done.”