Attack ads and political collusion roil tight 1st District primary
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Melat Kiros and Diana DeGette. Photos: Courtesy of Kiros campaign and RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
The Democratic race to represent Denver is growing more combative just as voters receive primary ballots.
Why it matters: A new attack ad targeting 1st Congressional District challenger Melat Kiros marks an escalation in a race deciding whether voters want change or the experience of U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette.
- The ad underscores how seriously Democratic allies are taking Kiros' challenge to the longtime incumbent in the three-way race, which includes University of Colorado regent Wanda James.
Driving the news: Last week, a super PAC called Mile High Accountability Project released an ad claiming President Trump "loves" Democrats like Kiros who "attack" the party.
- Kiros called the ad "lazy" and rejected its claims in an interview with Axios.
- She also criticized DeGette's campaign for promoting a blog post that suggested Kiros had rationalized the murder of Jews, calling the characterization "horrifically racist and dangerous."
What they're saying: "To make these baseless attacks clearly shows that they're afraid that we have a chance of actually winning," Kiros tells us.
The other side: "Melat Kiros thinks voters are gullible enough to just believe whatever she says," DeGette said Monday in a statement. "Denver is smarter than that, and we won't be fooled."
- DeGette's campaign released its third television ad of the campaign cycle Tuesday, highlighting her role as an impeachment manager during President Trump's 2021 trial.
Meanwhile, Kiros says three venues scheduled to host a Sunday rally featuring left-wing streamer Hasan Piker canceled on her campaign because of what she called political pressure.
- Kiros suggested DeGette played a role in the cancellations; DeGette's campaign denied the accusation.
Follow the money: The rally ultimately went forward outside the Colorado Capitol. Kiros' campaign says the event helped generate $27,000 from roughly 1,000 donors over a 24-hour period.
- The haul bolsters Kiros' argument that she can compete with DeGette's better-funded campaign, which has received support from multiple PACs.
The bottom line: Kiros is banking on voters frustrated with the party's leaders to propel her campaign. But progressives challenging political stalwarts is nothing new — and it doesn't always work.
- Left-leaning candidates in Illinois and North Carolina lost in recent primaries. Meanwhile, older Democratic lawmakers are pushing back at younger challengers who call for a generational change.