Phil Weiser, Colorado's Democratic gubernatorial nominee, publicly criticized congressional candidate Melat Kiros for failing to condemn a deadly 2025 firebomb attack on Jewish activists in Boulder as antisemitic. Weiser, who won the primary against incumbent Sen. Michael Bennett, said he would directly confront Kiros over her refusal to characterize the violence using that specific language.
Kiros, a democratic socialist and former attorney, pulled off an upset victory against longtime Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado's congressional primary. Her reluctance to explicitly name the attack as antisemitism sparked immediate backlash from the state's Democratic establishment, particularly from Weiser, who positioned himself as a defender of the Jewish community.
The dispute reflects deeper tensions within the Democratic Party between its mainstream wing and its progressive flank. Weiser's decision to name Kiros publicly signals he will not tolerate ambiguity on antisemitism as he builds his general election campaign. The move also distinguishes Weiser from potential challengers who might hesitate to criticize fellow Democrats, establishing him as willing to enforce party discipline on civil rights issues.
Kiros' refusal to use the term "antisemitic" mirrors similar controversies involving progressive politicians nationwide who have faced accusations of minimizing antisemitism while criticizing Israel's policies. Democratic Socialists of America members have sometimes drawn criticism for conflating anti-Zionism with opposition to antisemitism.
The firebomb attack in Boulder killed and injured Jewish activists, making Kiros' linguistic choice particularly contentious in a state with a substantial Jewish population. Weiser's primary victory over Bennett, a moderate senator, suggests Colorado Democrats lean centrist. Weiser's aggressive stance toward Kiros indicates he plans to run a general election campaign emphasizing Democratic unity on civil rights protections.
This clash will likely shape Colorado