Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat from Colorado, lost her primary election to Melat Kiros, a candidate backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), on July 1, 2026. Kiros, 29, won the Democratic primary for a House seat in Denver, marking a significant victory for the socialist movement. The DSA has highlighted this win as part of its growing influence, following recent successes in New York City primaries.
Kiros, if elected in November, could join the group known as the Squad in the House of Representatives. She received endorsements from prominent figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Kiros has faced criticism for her views on Israel and her acceptance of corporate PAC contributions, which she criticized DeGette for accepting.
DeGette, who has served in Congress for 30 years, emphasized her experience and seniority in her campaign, arguing that it would benefit her constituents. The primary highlighted differences between the candidates, particularly regarding their stances on Israel and antisemitism. Kiros has made controversial statements regarding the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel and has suggested that the U.S. deserved the 9/11 attacks due to its foreign policy.
The primary race was complicated by the candidacy of Wanda James, a University of Colorado Regent, who also sought DeGette's seat but did not pose a significant threat to Kiros's campaign. Colorado’s 1st Congressional District is known for its strong Democratic leanings, having supported Kamala Harris by a large margin in the 2024 election.