Progressives are looking to Colorado’s 1st Congressional District as their next target, with 29-year-old democratic socialist and lawyer Melat Kiros challenging 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette for the solidly blue seat in Denver.
Primary Challenge
Kiros, who received a late endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, has criticized DeGette for accepting donations from corporate PACs. DeGette has defended her progressive bona fides, pointing to her work as an impeachment manager as evidence of her record fighting Trump.
The primary has centered on Kiros’ vocal criticism of US relations with Israel and her comments on US-Israel policy, which have drawn scrutiny. DeGette has faced primary challenges in the past, but Democratic strategists in the state say this is likely to be the incumbent’s toughest race in years.
Statewide Races
In the US Senate race, progressive state Sen. Julie Gonzales is challenging incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper, a longtime fixture of Colorado politics. Hickenlooper voted for several Trump Cabinet nominees, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
In the Democratic gubernatorial primary, Sen. Michael Bennet’s path to the nomination has been complicated by Attorney General Phil Weiser, who has contrasted the senator’s votes to confirm Trump’s nominees with his own work suing the Trump administration.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
