Progressive upstart Melat Kiros completed a monumental upset over U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, defeating the 15-time incumbent on Tuesday to secure the Democratic nomination in Colorado's 1st Congressional District, the AP reports.Why it matters: The 29-year-old's victory proves that anti-establishment victories in New York City can be replicated, likely increasing anxiety for other Democratic incumbents.State of play: Kiros' victory in the deep-blue district means she's poised to become the first Black woman to represent Colorado in Congress and just the third woman to represent the district since 1972.The Associated Press called the race for Kiros just after 10pm Tuesday.She led by 6 points in latest ballot drop from Denver Elections Division, with 49% compared to DeGette's 44%.Challenger Wanda James was in third with 7.2%.By the numbers: The primary attracted millions in outside spending, according to Federal Election Commission filings. But despite DeGette's significant financial edge, Kiros prevailed.Justice Democrats' super PAC was Kiros' biggest backer, spending more than $500,000, followed by left-wing PAC American Priorities at $150,000.Pro-Choice Majority Action — which has ties to the Democratic Women's Caucus and, indirectly, AIPAC — was DeGette's biggest spender, putting more than $1.5 million behind the incumbent.Context: Kiros earned backing from key left-leaning groups such as the local Democratic Socialists of America chapter, the Colorado Working Families Party, Justice Democrats and the Sunrise Movement.She received a major endorsement from progressive champion Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) this month. Despite being a Congressional Progressive Caucus member and Medicare-for-All cosponsor, DeGette had been tagged by the left as a defender of Israel and recipient of corporate PAC support.What's next: Kiros moves on to the Nov. 3 general election, where she's the presumptive winner in the heavily Democratic seat covering Denver and parts of Arapahoe County.
