Democratic candidate Melat Kiros, 29, defeated incumbent Representative Diana DeGette in the primary election for Colorado's 1st congressional district on 30/6. This victory ensures Kiros a seat in the US Congress next year, as the Democratic Party consistently holds an absolute advantage in this district in the November election. Kiros will be the first female Gen Z representative in the US Congress.
Kiros's win highlights a broader trend: incumbent politicians face pressure to cede power to younger candidates with fresh perspectives, who are committed to rejecting longstanding political norms and practices.
The doctoral student and lawyer will replace DeGette, 68, who has held the position since 1997, the same year Kiros was born.
An Ethiopian immigrant, Kiros advocates for populist economic policies including universal healthcare and childcare. She also supports more politically contentious issues such as abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and ending US military aid to Israel.
 |
Politician Melat Kiros in Denver on 28/5. Photo: AP. |
The Gen Z politician also stated she would not accept money from corporate Political Action Committees and pro-Israel lobbying groups. Kiros strongly criticized DeGette for previously accepting campaign donations from defense contractors, as well as energy and pharmaceutical companies.
Representative DeGette defended her tenure, highlighting her progressive achievements on issues such as healthcare and climate policy.
 |
Incumbent Representative Diana DeGette in Denver on 28/5. Photo: AP. |
Kiros is the second Gen Z representative to serve in the US House of Representatives. Previously, Democratic Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida, also born in 1997, was elected to Congress in 2022.
In an interview with NPR in February, Kiros argued that many core policies of her campaign hold particular appeal for young voters. "Young people understand that we are in a life-or-death struggle. We need leaders who will fight for truly bold policies that deliver results. They refuse to compromise, they don't accept waiting in line or asking for permission to act", Kiros said.
Ngoc Anh (According to AP, Reuters)
