Progressive Candidate Calls for More Immigrants in Office
The recent election result in Colorado has drawn attention, particularly with the victory of Merat Quiros, an Ethiopian-born PhD student, who unseated long-time Representative Diana DeGette. She’s been vocal about the need for more immigrants in positions of power, suggesting that this is essential for addressing America’s “exploitative” role internationally.
During a recent speech at the Wa Ela Tigray gathering in Denver, Quiros argued that excluding Israel from criticism shouldn’t be automatically labeled as anti-Semitic. She emphasized the importance of having individuals from the Global South in leadership, saying, “We need more people with heritage from the Global South.” This perspective, she believes, can contribute significantly to altering American foreign policy.
Quiros, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, reflected on her unique position and responsibilities, contrasting her upcoming Congress experience with that of “The Squad” in 2018. She noted how those pioneering figures faced challenges that should never be repeated.
“As those in leadership positions, it is our responsibility to do the same for those who come after us,” she asserted, urging that more immigrant voices be included in the political realm.
She elaborated on the need for a transformative approach to the global order, underscoring the extractive nature of U.S. actions abroad. “To challenge that,” she stated, “we need representatives who fundamentally understand these issues.” This, she believes, requires increasing the number of immigrants in public office, particularly those from historically marginalized regions.
Quiros’s victory in the Democratic primary was noteworthy; she won by a margin of nearly 7,000 votes, marking the end of DeGette’s almost 30-year tenure. She is anticipated to secure Colorado’s 1st District in the upcoming general election while advocating for policies like the cessation of U.S. aid to Israel, the abolition of ICE, and universal healthcare.
Her candidacy has sparked considerable debate, particularly after she was dismissed from her New York law firm for an open letter arguing that criticism of Israel isn’t inherently anti-Semitic, a point she made following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This stance drew ire, especially when she remarked to streamer Hasan Piker that this tragic event was an “inevitable result of apartheid and occupation.”
Moreover, she has controversially linked U.S. foreign policy choices to events like the 9/11 attacks. This has positioned her as a polarizing figure in political discussions, particularly criticized by conservative commentators.
