Socialist Melat Kiros defeats longtime Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado primary

Democratic socialist Melat Kiros defeated longtime Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado's 1st Congressional District primary Tuesday, marking another victory for the far-left wing of the Democratic Party over an establishment incumbent.

Kiros secured 49.3% of the vote to DeGette's 43.5%, according to the Associated Press call late Tuesday. University of Colorado Regent Wanda James received 8.5% of the vote. The race drew three candidates in the solidly Democratic district covering Denver.

DeGette, who has represented the district since the mid-1990s, becomes the latest establishment Democrat to lose a primary to a more progressive challenger. Kiros, 29, is a first-time political candidate born in Ethiopia.

The outcome follows a series of victories by socialist and far-left candidates over incumbent establishment-backed Democrats in New York earlier in July. Political observers have noted the results are expected to shift the House Democratic caucus further to the left following the midterm elections.

During the campaign, Kiros told CBS Colorado that she decided to run for office after seeing polling data showing Denver residents favor socialism over capitalism. She has drawn criticism for her anti-Israel views and her handling of questions about a firebombing at a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, which she declined to characterize as antisemitic.