The left strikes back: Progressives score major upsets in Colorado Democratic primaries

Anti-establishment progressive candidates scored key victories in Democratic primary elections in the US state of Colorado on Tuesday, defeating several established office-holders.The results highlighted the Democratic Party's ongoing debate over its ideological direction ahead of the November midterm elections.In the biggest upset of the night, 29-year-old labour rights activist and lawyer Melat Kiros defeated incumbent Diana DeGette in Colorado's 1st Congressional District Democratic primary. "We are winning from coast to coast, from every level of office. We are taking back our party and our country," Melat Kiros said while addressing supporters at her election night gathering, as cited by CNN.The Democratic primary in Colorado's 1st Congressional District emerged as the biggest surprise of the day, as voters also decided a series of closely watched contests that will shape the party's leadership following the departure of term-limited Governor Jared Polis.Melat Kiros, who immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia as an infant, defeated Diana DeGette in the Denver-area primary despite being outspent by more than two to one.

During the campaign, Kiros called for a full arms embargo on Israel, including defensive weapons, while DeGette supported the supply of defensive arms.Kiros was dismissed from her previous job after refusing to delete a social media post criticising law firms over their positions on Israel and Palestine. She has also described Israel's actions in Gaza as a genocide.Her victory is being viewed as a major upset, with the first-time candidate defeating a lawmaker who had held the seat for nearly three decades.

Backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, Kiros is widely expected to retain the Democratic-leaning seat in the November general election and take office in Congress in January.In Colorado's 8th Congressional District, Manny Rutinel, who was regarded as the more progressive candidate, narrowly defeated former state representative Shannon Bird in the Democratic primary for the U.S. House of Representatives seat.Colorado's 8th Congressional District, which stretches from the northern suburbs of Denver into the state's farming regions, has changed party control in recent election cycles.Following his primary victory, Manny Rutinel will challenge incumbent Republican Gabe Evans in the November 3 midterm election. The race is expected to be closely contested and could play a role in determining control of the narrowly divided 435-seat U.S.

House of Representatives.The rise of the party's left wing has drawn comparisons with the conservative Tea Party movement that emerged in 2010 and the later MAGA movement, both of which reshaped the Republican Party.Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, now face growing pressure from within their own party as progressive candidates gain influence.