A 29-year-old democratic socialist and lawyer, Melat Kiros, is challenging 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette for the solidly blue seat in Denver, Colorado. Kiros and her allies hope voters are ready for change, citing a need for leaders who will fight for the interests of working people.
Background
Kiros was fired from a law firm in 2023 after refusing to take down an open letter arguing that student protesters’ calls for the elimination of Israel should not be conflated with antisemitism. She has criticized DeGette for accepting donations from corporate PACs and has received a late endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders.
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. DeGette has defended her progressive bona fides, pointing to her work as an impeachment manager as evidence of her record fighting Trump.
Other Races in Colorado
In the US Senate race, progressive state Sen. Julie Gonzales is challenging incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper, a longtime fixture of Colorado politics. Gonzales has criticized Hickenlooper for voting to confirm several Trump Cabinet nominees.
In the Democratic gubernatorial primary, Sen. Michael Bennet’s path to the nomination has been complicated by Attorney General Phil Weiser. Weiser has contrasted Bennet’s votes to confirm Trump nominees with his own work suing the Trump administration.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
