SouthernWorldwide.com – The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are expanding their political reach, with Colorado becoming the latest target in their ongoing efforts to challenge the established Democratic Party leadership.
Several primary elections taking place in Colorado on Tuesday are set to become the new focal point of the ideological struggle between the progressive left and the centrist wing of the Democratic Party, shaping its future direction.
The DSA explicitly stated their strategic shift, noting, “Today, the East Coast, next week the Mountain West.” This declaration followed their recent successes in congressional primaries held in New York City.
These victories included the ousting of incumbent Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat by Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old community organizer aligned with the far-left. Additionally, state Assembly Member Claire Valdez, another democratic socialist, secured a congressional primary win against a candidate backed by the party establishment.
VICTORIES BY MAMDANI-BACKED CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES SPOTLIGHTS GROWING RIFT IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
The successes of Chevalier and Valdez, who received significant backing from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a prominent democratic socialist, have further energized the far-left. This emboldenment fuels their high-stakes campaign to reshape the Democratic Party’s trajectory.
The DSA now aims to replicate this strategy nationwide, commencing with the Democratic primary in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District. This district, a reliably Democratic seat centered in Denver, was won by former Vice President Kamala Harris with a substantial margin of 56 points in the 2024 election.
The incumbent, Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette, who has served in Congress for three decades, is facing two primary challengers. Among them is Melat Kiros, a candidate supported by the DSA and a first-time contender. Kiros, a former attorney, was born just four months after DeGette’s initial entry into Congress.
Kiros, who reportedly lost her legal position in New York after publishing an essay critical of Israel, also has the endorsement of Justice Democrats. This political group, established nearly a decade ago, is well-known for its strong support of “Squad” members such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib during their initial campaigns for Congress.
A social media post from the DSA urged supporters to contribute to the Kiros campaign, stating, “ELECT ANOTHER SOCIALIST TO CONGRESS ON JUNE 30TH.”
The internal divisions within the Democratic Party are also evident in the primary race for the neighboring 8th Congressional District, which spans the I-25 corridor north of Denver.
State Rep. Manny Rutinel is campaigning on a platform to the left of former state Rep. Shannon Bird. The winner of this primary will face Republican Rep. Gabe Evans, who successfully flipped the seat in the 2024 election cycle. This contest is considered one of a few critical races that could influence whether the Republican Party maintains its narrow majority in the House of Representatives during the midterm elections.
Immigration has emerged as a key issue in the Democratic primary for this district, where approximately 40% of the population is Latino. Rutinel has criticized Bird’s past vote against a measure that would have restricted cooperation between local and state law enforcement agencies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALISTS LOOK TO TAKE NEW YORK PLAYBOOK NATIONWIDE AFTER PRIMARY VICTORIES
Another primary contest that underscores the divergence between progressive and moderate factions, as well as the generational differences within the party, is the battle for the Senate nomination. Incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper, 74, is being challenged by former state Sen. Julie Gonzales, a 43-year-old progressive.
Hickenlooper, a former mayor of Denver and a two-term governor, has seen his once-significant lead over Gonzales, who was previously a member of the DSA, diminish.
The victor of this primary will go on to face Republican state Sen. Mark Baisley, who is running unopposed in his primary election.
“The key message of the victors: Medicare-for-All, the importance of affordability and a living wage. Progressives have long fought for these values and I expect the primary victories to continue,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the state’s highly contested and closely watched Democratic gubernatorial primary features Sen. Michael Bennet competing against state Attorney General Phil Weiser.
Either Bennet or Weiser is expected to be the strong favorite in the race to succeed two-term Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who holds the distinction of being the first openly gay man elected governor in the United States.
Weiser, who is positioning himself to Bennet’s left on certain policy issues, has narrowed the gap with the senator. He has highlighted his efforts to confront President Donald Trump, including initiating 66 lawsuits against Trump during his tenure as attorney general.
The winner of this primary will face one of three Republican nominees: state Rep. Scott Bottoms, state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer, or pastor and Marine Corps veteran Victor Marx.
