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Hakeem Jeffries’ Mile High Stress Test

While Democrats watch Colorado’s primaries for clues as to whether New York’s socialist surge was an isolated incident, A.O.C. could become a critical peacemaker between the establishment and the party’s new left flank.

Hakeem Jeffries
Hakeem Jeffries speaks in front of the U.S. Capitol, May 2026. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Leigh Ann Caldwell
&
Marianna Sotomayor
June 29, 2026

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Tomorrow, a D.S.A.-weary Democratic establishment will be closely watching the results in Colorado, where the 30-year congressional veteran Rep. Diana DeGette is facing a serious primary threat from 29-year-old democratic socialist Melat Kiros in her solidly blue Denver district. Meanwhile, Sen. Michael Bennet, who is running for governor, has encountered a harder-than-expected challenge from Attorney General Phil Weiser in a race where the litmus test has become which candidate can advance the case against Trump most aggressively.