On Tuesday, Melat Quiroz, a socialist candidate, emerged victorious over long-serving Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) in the Colorado 1st District House primary, marking yet another setback for the Democratic establishment.
The Associated Press reported Quiroz leading 49.3% to 43.5% when they called the race late Tuesday.
This win adds to a trend of socialist and far-left candidates defeating incumbents and establishment Democrats, particularly noted in New York earlier this month, indicating a potential further leftward shift in the Democratic House caucus post-midterm elections.
Quiroz, originally from Ethiopia, has faced scrutiny for her anti-Israel remarks and for not labeling a recent bombing at a pro-Israel rally in Boulder as anti-Semitic.
DeGette, who has served 15 terms, expressed concern during a recent candidate forum, stating, “This is not the time to gamble and send people to Washington with no experience.”
The 68-year-old DeGette, a Congress member since 1997, has represented the Denver area far longer than the 29-year-old Quiroz.
In her campaign, DeGette emphasized the need for a strong leader to hold President Trump accountable, asserting that she is that leader. She backed her candidacy with endorsements from the Colorado Democratic Congressional Delegation, the House Progressive Caucus, and several labor unions.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) remarked that DeGette was “making a strong case” for re-election, although he noted the complexities incumbents face in the current political climate.
The Democratic Party’s approval ratings, according to Quiroz, are the lowest in decades due to a perceived lack of action for working people. She argues that Congress needs members who are not beholden to wealthy donors and are willing to confront corporate interests.
During a recent podcast with Hasan Piker, Quiroz outlined her top priorities, including “Medicare for All,” “Housing First,” and “publicly funded elections.” She also described the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel as “an inevitable outcome,” reflecting her controversial perspectives.
Quiroz made headlines following the Hamas attack for an open letter she wrote, stating that advocating for the exclusion of Israel shouldn’t be considered anti-Semitic, which resulted in her termination from the New York office of a law firm.
As a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Quiroz is part of a movement advocating an end to U.S. aid to Israel, and she’s been criticized for not labeling the bombing at the Boulder rally as anti-Semitic.
Despite a strong Democratic rating for the Colorado 1st District, projections suggest Quiroz may struggle in the general election.
She is expected to join other left-leaning candidates from New York City, including former DSA member Brad Lander and current DSA members Daliaza Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez, who have also had recent primary victories against establishment figures.
On the same day, however, in a separate election, incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) defeated Julie Gonzalez, a former member of the Democratic Socialists of America, in the Colorado Democratic Senate primary.
