Malt Kirus, a 29-year-old socialist who made attacks on Israel a centerpiece of her campaign, defeated 30-year incumbent Congresswoman Diana DeGette in Colorado's Democratic primary. It is the third such ouster of a sitting Democratic House member by a left-wing challenger this week, according to Ariel Kahana (Israel Hayom).
For the third time in a week, a hard-left, anti-Israel challenger has defeated a veteran Democratic incumbent in a party primary. Malt Kirus, a 29-year-old socialist born in Ethiopia, ousted Congresswoman Diana DeGette, who served since 1996 — before Kirus was born — in Colorado's primary late Tuesday night, according to Ariel Kahana (Israel Hayom).
As The Zioneer reported earlier Wednesday morning (published at 07:28 Jerusalem), Kirus had previously called the October 7 massacre "an inevitable outcome of Israel's actions." Her campaign prominently featured criticism of Israel. The string of primary defeats reflects a broader trend: a far-left wing gaining influence within the Democratic Party, which some analysts believe could hurt the party's chances of retaining its House majority in the midterms.
"We are winning coast to coast, at every level of office. We are taking back our party and our country," Kirus told supporters, per Kahana. The exact margin of her victory was not yet available.
3 developments
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- DevelopingPro-Palestine organizer defeats five-term incumbent in New York Democratic primary
- DevelopingDaraliza Abilla Chevalier wins New York Democratic primary for 13th district, refuses to recognize Israel
- DevelopingLindsey Graham faces Republican primary in South Carolina
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- Internal intake