Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros Wins Colorado Primary, Challenging Democratic Establishment

Democratic socialist Melat Kiros surprised Colorado’s Democratic community by defeating 15-term incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in June’s primary. This substantial win highlighted internal divisions over party values, leaving many Democrats questioning the party’s future.

Doug Friednash, a veteran political strategist, expressed disbelief. “If you’d said she would win by 13 points, I’d have bet against it,” Friednash noted. He’s observed Colorado’s shift from red to deep blue over three decades. Friednash has served in the state legislature, worked as Denver city attorney, and was chief of staff to former Governor John Hickenlooper. Today, he is a partner at Brownstein, a significant legal and lobbying firm in the region.

Kiros’ victory is among many nationwide for far-left candidates, concerning experienced Democrats like Friednash. “It was one thing in New York. But in Colorado, a gateway to the West, it’s spreading. This could be harmful to the Democratic Party if we don’t define our values,” Friednash asserted.

Kiros didn’t win in isolation. DSA-backed candidates have gained seats in local councils and state legislatures recently.

Initially, Friednash predicted DeGette’s win, yet Kiros’ campaign engaged effectively with progressive anti-establishment sentiments. Her team reportedly contacted over 100,000 voters and reached 500,000 through phone banking before election night. Kiros campaigned for universal healthcare, affordable housing, and utilities.

Friednash noted that affordability resonated with younger voters frustrated by living costs and disappointed by the Democratic establishment. “The top issue is affordability,” he stated. “Younger people moving to Denver can’t afford homes. Kiros tapped into voter anger over stagnant progress.” He views Denver as a microcosm of the Democrats’ national debate on future direction.

Prominent centrist group Third Way shared the sentiment, planning a $15 million campaign against the Democratic Socialists of America movement, viewing it as a “mortal danger” to Democrats in potential presidential swing states.

Concerns aren’t confined to establishment Democrats. Jon Caldara, president of the Denver-based Independence Institute, argues that the state abandoned its pro-business stance. Caldara, a libertarian and radio host, highlighted challenges like affordability, homelessness, and business exodus. “The state’s tilt left is consuming itself, as with the French Revolution,” he compared.

Caldara criticized the reluctance to challenge socialist views within the party. “Democrats fear cancellation if they oppose socialists,” he stated. He believes young voters, unfamiliar with socialism’s global history, are drawn to democratic socialist candidates. “The young lack historical context on socialism’s global impact,” Caldara added. “They haven’t seen what happened in the Soviet Union or Sweden’s shift to capitalism. Redistribution sounds appealing, but fails. Young people will suffer.”

Longtime resident Gene Maine, who fled the Soviet Union, sees similarities with Denver’s direction. “In the USSR, we were taught that America and capitalism were evil,” Maine said. He moved to Erie, Colorado, where he’s observed Denver’s growth and political change. “When the state offered free services, I grew concerned,” he shared.

Maine isn’t surprised by left-wing primary challenges. Kiros’ campaign attracted younger voters with promises of affordable costs and healthcare. “She won by organizing and offering ‘free’ solutions,” Maine observed. “They ignore that nothing is free. There’s no free lunch.”

Kiros and other DSA candidates counter critics by presenting their policies as pragmatic responses to voters’ unmet needs. Speaking to supporters after her primary win, Kiros emphasized “economic populism.” Her platform included Medicare for all, universal childcare, housing investments, taxes on the wealthy, and publicly owned utilities.

Republican Christy Peterson is running in the November general election, but Kiros is heavily favored in a district that sided significantly blue in recent elections. In 2024, Kamala Harris secured 77 percent of the vote in the district when winning Colorado.