-
Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old Ethiopian-born lawyer, has won election to represent Colorado’s 1st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.
-
Her victory makes her the first Black woman elected to represent Colorado in the US House and the first Generation Z woman elected to Congress.
-
Kiros secured the Democratic nomination in June after defeating 15-term incumbent Diana DeGette, who had represented the district since 1997.
-
She defeated Republican Christy Peterson and independent candidate Shimon Blau in Tuesday’s general election, polling about 78 per cent of the votes when the Associated Press called the race.
November 04, (THEWILL) – Ethiopian-born lawyer, Melat Kiros, has made history in the United States after winning election to the House of Representatives, becoming the first Black woman elected to represent Colorado in the lower chamber of Congress.
Kiros, 29, won the November 3 general election to represent Colorado’s 1st Congressional District, which covers much of Denver, according to the Associated Press projection.
Her victory also makes her the first woman from Generation Z to be elected to the US Congress, marking a milestone in the representation of younger politicians in American national politics.
From Ethiopia to American Politics
Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1997, Kiros moved to the United States with her parents when she was 11 months old and grew up in Denver, Colorado.
Her family settled in the city after immigrating through the US Diversity Visa Lottery programme, according to her campaign biography.
Kiros studied Political Science and Economics at Washington College in Maryland before earning a law degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2022.
She subsequently worked as a corporate lawyer in New York before becoming involved in political activism and eventually entering electoral politics.
Her departure from legal practice followed an open letter she wrote in 2023 defending students protesting Israel’s war in Gaza and criticising calls for universities to take disciplinary action against protesters.
According to reports, she was dismissed from her legal position after refusing to withdraw the letter.
She later returned to Denver, where she pursued doctoral studies in public policy and worked as a barista before launching her congressional campaign.
READ ALSO:
Campaign Focused on Economic Reforms
During her campaign, Kiros presented herself as a progressive alternative to established Democratic leadership, placing emphasis on economic inequality, affordable housing, healthcare access and workers’ rights.
She advocated Medicare for All, universal childcare and measures to curb corporate influence in American politics.
Kiros also called for the abolition of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and an end to American military assistance to Israel.
Her campaign attracted support from progressive organisations, including the Democratic Socialists of America and Justice Democrats, as well as supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders.
According to National Public Radio (NPR), her criticism of Israel and its military operations in Gaza became a contentious issue during the campaign, with independent candidate Blau accusing her of making antisemitic statements.
Kiros rejected the accusation, maintaining that her criticism was directed at the Israeli government and not Jewish people.
Her campaign also drew support from younger voters and progressive activists who backed her call for changes in the Democratic Party’s leadership and policy direction.
Historic Milestone For Women And Young Politicians
Kiros’ election expands the representation of women and younger politicians in the US Congress, where the minimum constitutional age for election to the House of Representatives is 25.
She becomes the first Generation Z woman elected to Congress, joining Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost, who became the first member of Generation Z elected to the House in 2022.
At 29, Kiros will also become the second-youngest woman ever elected to Congress, after Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who won her first election in 2018.
Her victory also marks the first time a Black woman has been elected to represent Colorado in the US House.
In her victory remarks, Kiros said the election represented a broader movement for political change, declaring that the country belonged to everyone, including people born in the United States and immigrants.
She is expected to assume office in January 2027 when the 120th Congress begins its term, succeeding DeGette as representative of Colorado’s 1st Congressional District.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
