WASHINGTON — Democratic socialism is gaining traction in the West.
Melat Quiros, a 29-year-old political newcomer, achieved a surprising victory over Democratic incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Col.) in the recent primary, reflecting rising anti-Israel and anti-ICE sentiments within her party.
The Ethiopian-born doctoral student has advocated for the dismantling of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), termed the September 11 attacks and the October 7 Hamas assault as “inevitable,” and minimized the idea that the bombing of a Jewish event was an act of anti-Semitism.
Quiros aims to push the Democratic Party further left if she secures a seat in the House of Representatives, which seems likely given her position in a safe blue district. Interestingly, her rhetoric stands in contrast to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (Democrat, New York), with whom she seems poised to clash.
Political Awakening
Quiros developed many of her far-left beliefs during her time at Notre Dame Law School in the early 2020s, an era she describes as a moment of political awakening amid the national turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“I literally witnessed the Federalist Society selecting classmates as judicial nominees in a long-term effort to reshape the courts,” she said, expressing her disillusionment with the political system, a sentiment she feels resonates with many young people today.
After graduating law school in 2022, she joined the New York law firm Sidley Austin, working as a regulatory enforcement associate. However, she was let go the following year after penning a viral open letter criticizing a law firm’s stance on anti-Semitism on college campuses.
In the letter, she asserted that criticizing the Israeli government’s actions while damaging future lawyers’ job prospects made one complicit in the weaponization of anti-Semitism against Palestinians’ legitimate concerns. Sidley Austin requested her to retract the letter, but Quiros refused and claims it led to her dismissal.
“I stood by every word, and I will continue to do so,” she declared in her victory speech after the primary.
This incident boosted her visibility in progressive circles.
Upon losing her law job, Quiros returned to Colorado, where her family had settled after immigrating when she was just 11 months old, thanks to her father’s win in America’s diversity visa lottery.
Back in her hometown, she enrolled in a doctoral program in public policy while also working as a barista. Eventually, she decided to challenge DeGette for the congressional seat, despite DeGette’s long-standing tenure and considerable support from the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Quiros attracted backing from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and other left-leaning organizations eager for a candidate who could push the party further leftward.
A significant point of contention between the two candidates was Quiros’ critical view of Israel. DeGette faced backlash for aiding defense funding for Israel, while Quiros made her denunciation of the Israeli state central to her campaign.
Interestingly, she referred to the Hamas attack on leftist figure Hasan Piker as “the inevitable consequences of apartheid,” though she later clarified that she didn’t intend to imply justification.
Piker is a controversial figure who has made inflammatory statements, including claims that “America deserved 9/11.”
Moreover, Quiros suggested that the September 11 attacks resulted from U.S. foreign policy, calling them an “inevitable outcome.”
She stirred local controversy by downplaying anti-Semitism in relation to the June 1, 2025 firebombing incident aimed at a Jewish gathering focusing on Israeli hostages taken by Hamas. This attack resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries.
The assailant, according to the FBI, shouted “Liberate Palestine” and expressed a desire to harm all Zionists. However, Quiros has been reluctant to label this act as anti-Semitism, stating that it was “not entirely clear” if that was the sole motivation.
Her stances align with many DSA members, advocating for initiatives like Medicare for All, a reimagined Green New Deal, and amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Additionally, she has called for a 10% reduction in Pentagon spending.
“People view capitalism as a significant contributor to the current issues in our economy, democracy, and climate,” she mentioned during a recent interview.
“They are asking for new ways to organize our economy.”
If she prevails in November, Quiros will make history as the first Gen Z woman in Congress, following Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Florida) as the second member from that generation.
She is part of a growing wave of socialist candidates within the Democratic Party, with a number of far-left individuals winning primaries in states like New York, Maine, and Illinois as the midterm elections approach.
