Progressive Candidate Ilhan Omar Ally Wins Democratic Primary With Anti-Israel Stance

Ilhan Omar ally and progressive candidate Malat Kiros secured a significant victory in the Democratic primary, defeating longtime Congresswoman Diana DeGette and positioning herself as a clear favorite to win the upcoming congressional election. The 29-year-old Kiros ran a campaign that prominently featured anti-Israel positions, making Israel a central issue. She has faced accusations of antisemitism after justifying the October 7 attack and making controversial statements, including claiming that calls for Israel's destruction are not antisemitic. Kiros also called for an immediate, unconditional arms embargo on Israel, cessation of all military funding, and an end to what she described as genocide in Gaza.

Kiros was previously fired from a law firm after criticizing their handling of pro-Palestinian protests following the October 7 attack. She refused to label the death of 82-year-old Karen Diamond, killed by an Egyptian assailant at a hostage rally, as antisemitic. Instead, she described the October 7 attack as an inevitable result of Israel's "apartheid policy." Her opponent, Diana DeGette, a 30-year incumbent, warned against electing an inexperienced candidate but ultimately lost with 44% of the vote to Kiros's 49%.

Kiros's victory is the third progressive primary win in eight days that unseated an incumbent Democrat, signaling the growing influence of the progressive and anti-Israel wing within the Democratic Party. This faction has been gaining power amid deep divisions over U.S. policy toward Israel. Kiros received support from prominent progressive Senator Bernie Sanders and celebrated her win by declaring, "We are winning from coast to coast, at every level of government. We are taking back our party and our country."