Ro Khanna urges Democratic “old guard” to step aside after Melat Kiros primary win in Colorado

Progressive House member Ro Khanna called on the Democratic Party’s “old guard” to step aside after Melat Kiros won a Colorado Democratic primary race against Rep. Diana DeGette, who has served for more than a decade. Khanna made the remarks in a video posted on the social platform X on July 2, shortly after what The Hill described as a major primary night for progressives.

In the video, Khanna said the Colorado result “shows a new generation of progressives like Melat are building a new and bold Democratic Party,” and he added that “it’s time for the old guard to step aside.” He framed the outcome as part of a broader shift in Democratic politics, with voters demanding changes in how elected officials respond to policy questions.

Khanna also said the political moment represents an end to “the era of cliches that politicians deliver with charisma and charm,” arguing instead that voters want lawmakers to be explicit about their positions on issues. He cited a set of policy priorities in the video, including single-payer health care, taxing billionaires, stopping foreign wars, recognizing what he called the “genocide in Gaza,” abolishing and replacing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, worker issues related to artificial intelligence, and opposition to money in politics.

The Hill reported that Khanna has previously criticized Democratic leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). In the background of Wednesday’s remarks, The Hill pointed to earlier comments by Khanna after Schumer and several moderate House Democrats supported reopening the federal government after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Khanna also said in the video that the party must answer voters directly on “tough issues” rather than rely on messaging, positioning the Kiros victory as evidence that primary elections are producing candidates he says reflect these demands. Mediaite similarly described Khanna’s message as a blunt call for Democratic leaders to step aside, tying it to the same Colorado primary result.

Neither The Hill nor the secondary report provided additional detail in the packet beyond the primary outcome and Khanna’s stated rationale. The next step for Kiros, according to standard House election timelines, would be the general election process in Colorado, while DeGette’s path would depend on whether she pursued any further candidacy or chose retirement; those specifics were not included in the supplied reporting.