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1-minute voter guide: Democratic 1st Congressional District candidates

Esteban L. Hernandez

Panel discussion at the League of Women Voters of Denver: three women at a table with microphones; placards read Wanda James, Diana DeGette, Melat Kiros, against a wood-paneled backdrop. — From left: Wanda James, Diana DeGette and Melat Kiros during a candidate forum in Denver. Photo: RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Three candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination to run in Colorado's 1st Congressional District.

Why it matters: Whoever wins the primary likely secures the safely Democratic seat in a district encompassing mostly Denver and small parts of Arapahoe County.

Meet the candidates:

Diana DeGette is the incumbent who's served since January 1997.

Her reelection pitch includes Medicare for All, abolishing ICE, codifying abortion rights in federal law, and serving as a counterbalance for President Trump in Congress.

Melat Kiros is a first-time candidate, attorney and PhD student who has positioned herself as the campaign's progressive, grassroots candidate.

Improving affordability, supporting working-class residents, Medicare for All, improving housing availability and calling for publicly financed elections are her top priorities.

Wanda James is a CU regent who touts her vast business experience, including in the cannabis industry, and deep community ties.

Medicare for All, supporting voting rights, and affordability are top of mind for James, as well as protecting civil rights, expanding housing vouchers and providing immigration reform.

Between the lines: If reelected and if Democrats regain a House majority, DeGettte may be in line to chair the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee.

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1-minute voter guide: Democratic 1st Congressional District candidates

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