Democratic socialist Melat Kiros has toppled Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado’s 1st District Democratic primary, NBC News projects, in the latest victory for the insurgent left wing of the party over an entrenched incumbent this year.
DeGette, 68, has represented the Denver-based district for three decades, having first taken the oath of office months before Kiros, 29, was born.
But that wasn’t enough to stave off Kiros, part of a wave of democratic socialists who have found success this primary season in deep-blue parts of the country and are seeking to redirect the future of the Democratic Party.
DeGette is the seventh House member to lose renomination this election cycle and the third in seven days.
Addressing convention delegates in March, Kiros recounted how her father told her they were Democrats because the party “fights for the people.”.
All three winning candidates were endorsed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who kick-started the trend of democratic socialist success last year.
Kiros will be heavily favored to win the general election this fall in the solidly Democratic 1st District. »