Kiros win spotlights local Democratic Socialists' growing influence
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Supporters celebrate Melat Kiros during her election night watch party on June 30 in Denver. Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
During her victory speech before a raucous crowd, Democratic congressional candidate Melat Kiros thanked the groups behind her upset win. No namedrop drew cheers louder than the Democratic Socialists of America.
Why it matters: Kiros' victory is Denver DSA's biggest electoral breakthrough yet, signaling an influence expanding beyond local races and positioning it to help send its first member-backed candidate to Congress.
State of play: Conrad Bailey, co-chair of the electoral committee for Denver DSA, is responsible for organizing campaigns. He says volunteers started canvassing months before Election Day.
- Denver DSA's Kiros endorsement in February mobilized hundreds of volunteers to urge 1st Congressional District voters to back Kiros in the three-person primary.
- Volunteers knocked on doors, while others offered services like web design and social media support.
- The organization had roughly 1,300 members to start the year. By June, membership grew to about 1,700 people, Bailey adds.
What they're saying: "I would kind of describe [as] ... feeling a lot like drinking from a firehose," Bailey tells us. "There were just so many people that were excited to do something with Melat."
By the numbers: Turnout exceeded organizers' expectations. Denver DSA projected 125,000 ballots would be cast; preliminary results show nearly 178,000 votes in the Democratic primary.
- Bailey says Kiros' message resonated with voters whose "material needs" — like jobs and housing — weren't being met.
Zoom in: Young people, central to DSA's base, helped fuel Kiros' victory.
- Now she's on track to become the second-youngest congresswoman in history.
- "Kiros' strength was concentrated in areas with the greatest shares of young people," writes political observer Brad Jones.
Between the lines: Kiros wasn't DSA's only primary election win.
- Other Denver DSA-recommended candidates who won included secretary of state candidate Amanda Gonzalez, as well as Iris Halpern and Chela Irlando Garcia in statehouse races.
Yes, but: It wasn't a clean primary sweep for the organization.
- Julie Gonzales lost her bid for U.S. Senate. Attorney general hopeful David Seligman finished second in a crowded field.
What's next: Denver DSA plans to back a candidate to replace outgoing Denver City Councilmember Sarah Parady, who had been the organization's biggest electoral success before Kiros, Bailey says.
- November's special election will test whether Denver DSA can successfully hold the seat with another member-backed candidate.