Colorado Democratic congressional candidate Melat Kiros dismissed concerns about communists within the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a faction of the Democratic Party, calling Republican criticism "noise" ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

On PBS's "Firing Line," host Margaret Hoover asked Kiros how she addressed criticism that some DSA members, including roughly half of its national leadership, identify as communists. Kiros responded, "Well, some members of the Democratic Party are proudly proclaiming themselves as capitalists, and it’s a big tent, right? But again, at the end of the day, it’s up to the voters, right?"

When asked directly if she was a communist, referencing former President Donald Trump's description of the movement as "hardcore, godless communists," Kiros said, "Because I think the Republican Party, and frankly, the oligarchy that largely stands behind the Republican Party can see that our message of, in its most basic form, economic populism, is actually resonating with voters."

Kiros also expressed support for a 32-hour workweek among other policy issues.

Meanwhile, Denver Jewish leaders told Fox News Digital that Kiros' rhetoric had heightened their safety concerns. They cited her initial refusal to characterize the 2025 Boulder firebombing as antisemitic and her accusations that Israel committed genocide and apartheid.

The DSA continues to gain traction with new leaders such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Darializa Avila Chevalier, who recently won the Democratic primary in New York’s 13th Congressional District. However, a July Fox News poll found that 56% of registered voters viewed the Democratic Socialists of America unfavorably, while 31% viewed the organization favorably.

(RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post)

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