A 29-year-old Ethiopian immigrant and political newcomer backed by the Democratic Socialists of America has unseated Congresswoman Diana DeGette in Colorado's 1st District Democratic primary, according to reports. DeGette held the seat for three decades. The winner's platform includes criticism of U.S. support for Israel.
The 29-year-old Ethiopian immigrant and political newcomer, Melat Kiros, has defeated 30-year incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado's 1st District Democratic primary, as reported by The Zioneer from early Wednesday (06:49 Jerusalem). The district, which covers Denver and is overwhelmingly Democratic, makes Kiros the presumptive next member of Congress. Kiros, who was backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has built a campaign centered on opposition to U.S. support for Israel.
As The Zioneer reported throughout Wednesday, Kiros previously described Israel as an 'apartheid state' and the war in Gaza as a 'genocide.' In a later interview, she called both the September 11, 2001 attacks and the October 7, 2023 massacre 'inevitable' outcomes of U.S. and Israeli policy. The published thread shows the development evolved from an initial unconfirmed report of a progressive win (version 1, Wed 06:49) to her being named as Malt Kirus (versions 2-3, same time), and finally to the confirmed identification as Melat Kiros (version 4, same time). The most recent Zioneer article (Wed 16:32 Jerusalem) now solidifies her virtually assured seat in Congress.
Kiros's victory is the third such ouster of a sitting Democratic House member by a left-wing challenger this week, as The Zioneer previously reported on Tuesday's New York primary win by Darializa Avila Chevalier (Tue Jun 30, 11:04 Jerusalem) and Wednesday's New York 10th District win by Brad Lander (Wed Jun 24, 15:03 Jerusalem). Senator John Fetterman has publicly decried what he sees as rising anti-Israel sentiment within the Democratic Party (Wed Jun 24, 20:11 Jerusalem).
It remains open whether Kiros, who has declined to label the firebombing of a Jewish hostage awareness event as antisemitic, will face any further challenges before the November general election, though her win in the deep-blue district makes her the clear frontrunner.
4 developments
- DevelopingPro-Palestine organizer defeats five-term incumbent in New York Democratic primary
- DevelopingColorado congressional candidate calls 9/11 and October 7 'inevitable' due to US and Israeli policy
- DevelopingLindsey Graham faces Republican primary in South Carolina
- DevelopingFormer MK Emily Moatti to run in Democrats primary
Source and signal
- Internal intake