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, emerged victorious in a Democratic primary for a House seat in Denver, marking a significant win for the socialist movement. The DSA highlighted this victory as part of its growing influence following recent successes in New York City primaries.
Kiros, who was born in Ethiopia, could potentially join the group known as the Squad if elected in November. She received endorsements from prominent figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as the organization Justice Democrats. Kiros has faced scrutiny for her past comments regarding Israel and her acceptance of corporate PAC contributions, which she criticized DeGette for.
DeGette, who has served in Congress for 30 years, emphasized her experience and seniority during her campaign, arguing that it would benefit her efforts to push for Medicare-for-All legislation. Despite sharing some policy views with Kiros, the two candidates had notable disagreements, particularly regarding Israel and antisemitism.
Kiros has made controversial statements in the past, including her views on the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel and the U.S. foreign policy's role in global violence. DeGette condemned Kiros' comments and her associations, stating they were disqualifying for a congressional candidate. The primary election was further complicated by the candidacy of Wanda James, a University of Colorado Regent, who also sought DeGette's seat but did not significantly threaten Kiros' position.