Anti-Israel candidate wins Colorado primary backing Gaza protests

Anti-Israel candidate Melat Kiros defeated longtime Representative Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for Colorado's 1st Congressional District, marking a significant victory for the party's progressive wing. Kiros built her campaign around rejecting corporate political donations, opposing the influence of lobbying groups, and defending students who protested against Israel's brutal genocide in Gaza.

The 29-year-old candidate received endorsements from Bernie Sanders, Justice Democrats, and the Democratic Socialists of America. Her campaign also drew attention to her dismissal from a law firm after she refused to remove a post defending student protesters from accusations of antisemitism. Because the district strongly favors Democrats, her primary victory makes her the leading candidate for the congressional seat in the November election.