Democratic socialist Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old first-time candidate, achieved a significant victory on June 30 by defeating veteran U.S. Representative Diana DeGette in the Colorado Democratic primary. Decision Desk HQ and NBC News projected the result for Kiros, who held a 49% to 44% lead with 78% of the ballots counted in the Denver-based district. DeGette, 68, had held the seat representing the heavily Democratic area since 1997.
The race was largely defined by DeGette’s status as a party establishment figure and ongoing debates regarding Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which served as a focal point for critics of status-quo politics. Kiros, who previously worked at a New York law firm, launched her campaign after losing her position in November 2023 following a public letter she authored in defense of critics of Israel’s policies in Gaza.
While the establishment saw a shakeup in the 1st Congressional District, other pillars of Colorado’s Democratic leadership remained intact. U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper successfully fended off a primary challenge from the left by state Senator Julie Gonzales. Hickenlooper, 74, utilized his significant name recognition as a former governor and Denver mayor to secure a double-digit victory, moving toward the November general election where he will face Republican Mark Baisley.
In a major shift for the state’s gubernatorial race, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to capture the Democratic nomination to replace term-limited Governor Jared Polis. Despite Bennet beginning the cycle as the favorite, Weiser successfully framed the senator as a Washington insider. Weiser secured 55% of the vote against 43% for Bennet with 77% of ballots counted, marking a victory for the wing of the party dissatisfied with the current status quo.
Elsewhere, Colorado state Representative Manny Rutinel defeated former state Representative Shannon Bird to win the Democratic nomination in the 8th Congressional District. With 87% of the vote counted, the progressive Rutinel held a 61% to 34% lead. He is set to face Republican Representative Gabe Evans in November in a swing district that could play a pivotal role in determining control of the U.S. House.
Additionally, Navy veteran and National Security Council official Eileen Laubacher won the Democratic nomination for the 4th Congressional District, setting up a November contest against incumbent Republican Representative Lauren Boebert. In the 3rd Congressional District, Representative Jeff Hurd defeated former state Representative Ron Hanks to secure the Republican nomination.
