Denver’s congressional race is gaining attention as Rep. Diana DeGette, a 29-year incumbent, faces a strong challenge from Melat Kiros in the Democratic primary. The campaigns and outside groups have spent millions, with DeGette’s campaign and supporters spending over $2 million as of mid-June to boost the incumbent and attack Kiros.

Kiros Gains Momentum

Kiros’ campaign has gained momentum, including an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, and her supporters claim she’s pulled ahead in polling. A Democratic Socialist, she notched an early victory by winning the top spot on the ballot. Her campaign and outside groups have spent over $1 million.

Justice Democrats, which supports Kiros, released a poll claiming she was ahead 41% to DeGette’s 36%. The poll of 307 likely voters was conducted by Data for Progress and claimed a 6-point margin of error. Only one other poll has been released, a March survey by the same group, which had Kiros at just 7% support — representing a 34-point swing for Kiros, if the polls are accurate.

DeGette’s Record Under Fire

DeGette’s record has come under fire from Kiros, who slammed DeGette’s support from PACs and her voting record. Kiros also denied allegations that she wants to leave NATO and that she’s a recent transplant to Denver, despite immigrating to the city with her family at 11 months old.

Groups supporting DeGette have spent more than $1.3 million on ads slamming Kiros and supporting DeGette, in addition to hundreds of thousands from the campaign itself. One group, Mile High Accountability Project, spent $350,000 on a 30-second ad on YouTube and social media claiming that Kiros wants to divide Democrats.

Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.