Progressive challengers Kiros and Weiser topple Colorado incumbents DeGette and Bennet in Democratic primaries

Colorado's Democratic voters propelled a fresh wave of progressive candidates to victory on Tuesday, unseating a long-serving congresswoman and rejecting a sitting U.S. senator's bid for governor. The outcomes amplified the insurgent energy that has been reshaping the party nationwide.

Kiros upends 30-year incumbent

Melat Kiros, a lawyer and doctoral student, defeated Representative Diana DeGette in the 1st District by more than five percentage points with nearly 80 percent of votes counted. The 29-year-old immigrant and Democratic Socialists of America member framed her campaign around generational change, an affordability crisis, and staunch opposition to U.S. military aid to Israel. DeGette, 68, had held the seat since 1997.

It just shows that Americans want politicians who are going to address the cost of living with universal policies that apply to everybody.

Weiser wins governor's primary

Attorney General Phil Weiser beat Senator Michael Bennet in the governor's race, leveraging his courtroom battles against the Trump administration over frozen funds and birthright citizenship. Bennet, who will retain his Senate seat, had not faced a primary from the left but was outspent by Weiser. Kamala Harris won Colorado by 11 points in 2024, making Weiser the strong general-election favorite.

Rutinel emerges in toss-up 8th District

State Representative Manny Rutinel, a progressive, won the primary for the battleground 8th District over former state Representative Shannon Bird. The district, which stretches from Denver's northern suburbs to rural Weld County and is nearly 40% Latino, is a top Democratic pickup opportunity. Republican Gabe Evans holds the seat and reported $3.4 million in cash reserves to Rutinel's $910,000.

Unlike Gabe Evans, Manny will fight to protect our freedoms and lower costs, and I urge everyone to unite behind his campaign so we can flip the House and stop this reckless administration from continuing to wreak havoc on our communities.

Hickenlooper survives, Allen wins GOP nod

Senator John Hickenlooper fended off a primary challenge from his left, preserving an establishment hold. On the Republican side, former El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen won the attorney general primary, setting up a November contest with Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold. Allen campaigned on a law-and-order platform, arguing Colorado has grown too soft on crime.

Progressive streak gains steam

Kiros joins a growing list of democratic socialist candidates expected in Congress next year, including recent primary winners in New York and Pennsylvania. Her victory echoed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 2018 upset of a 10-term incumbent and drew national attention from progressive groups and livestreamer Hasan Piker.