A democratic socialist unseats a 15-term congresswoman in Colorado

[AZProgressive]

Grace Panetta
Tue, June 30, 2026 at 7:32 PM MST

Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old democratic socialist and first-time candidate, ousted Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado in a primary challenge on Tuesday.

DeGette, a 15-term incumbent first elected in 1996, is the second member of Congress to lose her seat to a younger democratic socialist challenger after Darializa Avila Chevalier unseated Rep. Adriano Espaillait, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in New York's 13th District last week.

Chevalier's and Kiros' challenges came amid widespread discontent and frustration among Democratic voters with party leadership in the wake of President Donald Trump's election. Both Espaillat and DeGette are longtime progressives whom their opponents cast as representatives of a failing Democratic establishment beholden to corporate interests. Chevalier and Kiros both also have a history of pro-Palestine activism and made opposing Israel's war in Gaza central to their campaigns.

Kiros is all but assured to win the general election in the deep blue district, which encompasses most of the city and county of Denver.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/democratic-socialist-unseats-15-term-023225646.html

[DavidDvorkin]

1. Fuck.

[GP6971]

5. Huh?

[DavidDvorkin]

7. It's a very bad outcome for the party, the district, and the country.

[orleans]

8. why? nt

[angrychair]

11. Could not disagree more

This is the future of the Party and the new direction for the country...and it can't happen soon enough.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. Glad to see democracy is alive and well!!

[Prairie Gates]

3. Time for some new ideas, especially on a few specific foreign policy questions

[Scruffy1]

10. I really like that. n/t

[yankee87]

4. Boomer here

This is what our party needs. We need new blood and leadership.

[H2O Man]

6. Recommended.

[Pototan]

9. I really want to see

a DSA candidate beat an incumbent Republican. Win me a purple or red seat, now you'll show me something.

[LeftInTX]

13. Yes! I will consider it successful when the GOP starts shaking in their boots!

If they start shifting to the left, then we'll know it's real progress.


FWIW: Several Jewish Democrats that I know are leaving the party due to how they have been marginalized.

[LilElf70]

12. Coincidence?

I don't think so. Look around. Start listening.

It sure appears that people in general are done with old politics. It's real obvious with the younger generation. Why not. It's their future. They are seeking real change. It appears that many are seeking a better life for everyone.

And personally, I'd take socialism programs over what we have today. By a landslide.