Top Pro-Abortion Democrat in Congress Loses Re-Election Bid

Rep. Diana DeGette, a leading radical abortion activist, lost her bid for re-election in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District.

DeGette, the head of the pro-abortion caucus who built her career championing abortions up to birth and opposing protections for unborn children, lost to Democratic socialist challenger Melat Kiros.

Kiros defeated the 15-term incumbent, winning with 49.3 percent of the vote to DeGette’s 43.5 percent, according to results with most ballots counted. A third candidate, Wanda James, received 7.2 percent.

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DeGette, who first took office in 1997 and has long represented the heavily Democratic Denver-area district, was co-chair of the so-called House Pro-Choice Caucus. She consistently pushed legislation to expand and protect abortion nationwide while blocking efforts to impose even sensible limits.

She voted against bills banning late-term abortions, including measures such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that would have prohibited most abortions after 20 weeks. DeGette also opposed born-alive legislation designed to require medical care for infants who survive attempted abortions, positions pro-life advocates have described as votes supporting infanticide.

Her record included leading efforts to codify expansive abortion through measures like the bogusly-named Women’s Health Protection Act, which sought to prevent states from enacting pro-life laws at any stage of pregnancy.

Kiros, a 29-year-old first-time candidate and self-described democratic socialist, capitalized on dissatisfaction with the longtime incumbent in the deep-blue district. Her victory marks another win for the party’s insurgent and radical progressive wing this cycle and ends DeGette’s three-decade tenure in Congress.

The primary upset occurred despite DeGette’s strong name recognition and fundraising advantage in a district that has reliably supported Democrats for decades. Kiros will face the Republican nominee in November’s general election but will easily cruise to her first term.