Kiros wins Colorado House seat after ousting DeGette in primary

Melat Kiros, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is projected to win the race to represent Colorado’s 1st District, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Kiros, 29, defeated Republican Christy Peterson, Libertarian Chad Humphrey, Critter Milton of the Unity Party and Independent candidate Shimon Blau. Her victory reflects a broader wave of younger, progressive Democrats who launched congressional bids this year, seeking to usher in a new generation of leadership within the party.

DDHQ projected the race at 9 p.m. EST Tuesday.

Kiros is a Ph.D. student at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs who quickly rose to prominence after she defeated 15-term incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette (Colo.) in the Democratic primary this summer.

She received the backing of several high-profile progressive figures and groups, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), End Citizens United and Justice Democrats.

Kiros received a law degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2022.

She was fired from the law firm Sidley Austin in 2023 after she wrote a letter directed at U.S. law firms on her Substack in which she disputed the notion that it was antisemitic to call “for the elimination of the Israeli state.” She refused to take down the letter.

Kiros’s platform includes “Medicare for All,” universal childcare and eldercare and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Her campaign website says that she also supports an ultramillionaire tax on people with a net worth of more than $50 million.