Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette, a 15-term incumbent and senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, lost her reelection primary Tuesday to challenger Melat Kiros.
Kiros, a Democratic socialist backed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, was leading DeGette by more than 10,000 votes Wednesday morning. It’s one of the most notable incumbent defeats this election cycle.
“We are so proud to be sending Colorado’s first Justice Democrat to Congress,” said Alexandra Rojas, executive director of Justice Democrats. “Melat built a movement that inspired Denverites to remember they themselves have the power to transform what kind of Democratic Party they want to be represented by. Melat and our candidates continue winning this cycle because Democratic voters are finally getting leaders acting on their demands.”
In another blow to establishment incumbents, Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet lost his primary for governor to state Attorney General Phil Weiser, who cast Bennet as a Washington insider.
