DSA-backed candidates defeat Colorado Democratic incumbents, advancing socialist wave in primary elections

Tuesday's Colorado primaries produced a sweep of results in which anti-establishment candidates defeated or narrowly challenged incumbents across multiple contests, continuing a pattern that began in New York City primaries the week prior. Kiros, a first-time candidate and former attorney who is 29 years old, defeated DeGette, who was first elected in 1996 — before Kiros was born. Rutinel's double-digit margin over Bird advanced a progressive candidate into one of roughly two to three dozen competitive House seats that could determine control of the chamber in November.

The DSA and allied organizations mounted a substantial ground operation for Kiros in Denver, according to Politico, which reported over 100,000 doors knocked and more than 500,000 phone calls made. Kiros was also endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna, and received support from Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who held live phone-banking sessions for her campaign and traveled to Denver on primary day. Justice Democrats, which backed her candidacy early, described the win as validation of an "affirmative vision to make life more affordable for working class voters."

Rutinel's win in the 8th District came in a district that is approximately 40% Latino, according to NPR, and where immigration was a dominant issue. Rutinel had attacked Bird over a vote she cast opposing a measure limiting law enforcement cooperation with ICE. Republican Rep. Gabe Evans, who flipped the seat in 2024, ran unopposed in his primary and issued a statement characterizing Rutinel as a "far-left, radical socialist." Fox News noted that Republicans viewed Rutinel as the more beatable general-election opponent compared to Bird.