Colorado primaries test Democratic establishment in three key races
8 reported
According to a single-source report from Vox, three Democratic primary contests in Colorado are challenging longtime party incumbents. In the House First District, 26-year-old Melat Kiros, who was fired from a law firm in 2023 after posting a letter questioning Israel’s legitimacy, is challenging 30-year incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette. Kiros has the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America and streamer Hasan Piker. In the Senate primary, state Sen. Julie Gonzales is challenging Sen. John Hickenlooper, arguing his incrementalist approach has failed under a second Trump term. In the governor’s race, Sen. Michael Bennet faces state Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is using Bennet’s Washington record against him. The primary is June 30, but Colorado is a vote-by-mail state, so voting is already underway. The article notes there is little public polling, and most insiders expect the incumbents to win.
What’s reported
Melat Kiros was fired from law firm Sidley Austin in November 2023 after posting a letter questioning Israel’s legitimacy.
Kiros is challenging Rep. Diana DeGette, who has held her seat for 30 years, in the House First District primary.
Kiros’s platform includes ending all aid to Israel; she has endorsements from the Democratic Socialists of America and streamer Hasan Piker.
State Sen. Julie Gonzales is challenging Sen. John Hickenlooper, who has been in major elected office since 2003.
Gonzales says Hickenlooper’s “go-along-to-get-along” politics have failed; she supports Medicare-for-All, abolishing ICE, and ending aid to Israel.
Sen. Michael Bennet is running for governor against state Attorney General Phil Weiser; Weiser criticizes Bennet for voting to confirm some Trump Cabinet picks.
The primary is June 30; Colorado is a vote-by-mail state, so voting is already in progress.
The article states there is little public polling and most insiders expect Hickenlooper, DeGette, and Bennet to win.
Key figures
Melat Kiros, congressional candidate and former attorney
Rep. Diana DeGette, incumbent U.S. House member for Colorado’s 1st District
Wanda James, third candidate in the House First District primary
Sen. John Hickenlooper, incumbent U.S. senator from Colorado
State Sen. Julie Gonzales, state senator and Senate primary challenger
Sen. Michael Bennet, incumbent U.S. senator running for governor
Phil Weiser, Colorado attorney general and governor primary candidate
Eric Sondermann, Colorado-based independent political commentator
Jesse Paul, reporter for the Colorado Sun
Mark Baisley, Republican Senate nominee
Sources: vox.com
