Source: Fox News
Summary
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is targeting Colorado in the next stage of their battle with the center-left establishment for control of the Democratic Party. The DSA is supporting several candidates in Colorado’s primaries, including Melat Kiros, who is challenging Rep. Diana DeGette in the 1st Congressional District. The primaries will also feature a battle between progressives and moderates, as well as a generational divide, in the Senate nomination contest between Sen. John Hickenlooper and former state Sen. Julie Gonzales.
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As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
The DSA is now looking to replicate its playbook across the country, starting in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District. Melat Kiros, a first-time candidate and former attorney, is challenging Rep. Diana DeGette with the support of the DSA and Justice Democrats. The primary will be a test of the DSA’s influence in the state and the Democratic Party. The outcome will likely be seen as a referendum on the party’s direction.
The process has entered a familiar phase.
The Democratic Party divide will also play out in the primary in the neighboring 8th Congressional District, with state Rep. Manny Rutinel running to the left of former state Rep. Shannon Bird. The winner will take on Republican Rep. Gabe Evans, who flipped the seat in the 2024 cycle.
Shannon Jackson, a longtime progressive political strategist, pointed to last week’s results and said “people are frustrated” and that “progressives have long fought for” values like Medicare-for-All and a living wage.
The state’s expensive and combustible Democratic gubernatorial primary pits Sen. Michael Bennet against state Attorney General Phil Weiser, with the winner considered the clear favorite in the race to succeed Gov. Jared Polis.
It’s a familiar script: the DSA is playing the role of the insurgent, while the establishment is playing defense.
Author: Evan Null
