"Wake up call": House Democrats erupt in panic, anger after another socialist upset

House Democrats were staggered Wednesday by the loss of yet another one of their longtime colleagues to a democratic socialist challenger.

Why it matters: Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) was a staunch progressive, not a moderate, these members are privately fuming. So why did she become a target of the left?

• "One more case in the growing dynamic of performative politics," one House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share candid analysis on the results, told Axios.
• "Diana was an excellent representative with seniority — but the style of someone younger and more outspoken has become more attractive to that cohort of motivated urban left voters."
• A senior House Democrat called the result a "wake-up call" for members of Congress

Driving the news: DeGette was defeated decisively by 29-year-old Melat Kiros, an attorney and PhD student who led the incumbent by nearly 10 percentage points as of Wednesday morning.

• DeGette's loss in the Denver-based district came despite a deluge of outside spending in her favor from groups tied to the Democratic establishment and AIPAC.
• Progressive groups such as the Justice Democrats spent substantially in favor of Kiros as well, but their expenditures were greatly eclipsed by those of pro-DeGette outside groups.

Between the lines: DeGette boosters sought to defend her progressive bona fides, touting her support for Medicare for All, her opposition to ICE and her time as a Trump impeachment manager.

• Pro-Kiros ads took aim at the 68-year-old incumbent's support from corporate PACs and votes in favor of Israel.
• DeGette's loss comes after challengers backed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani unseated Reps. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) and Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) last week, which already had House Democrats on edge.

What we're hearing: "Diana is a progressive. Sad to see her loss," a third House Democrat told Axios, adding that there is clearly "an appetite for newer, younger blood in some parts of the country.

• "I told everyone that would listen in 2024, that Trump winning was like manna from heaven to DSA," said a fourth.
• "That DSA is ... winning some safe seat primaries with these young white college educated voters is just no shock. It's literally their entire playbook."

Yes, but: Some House Democrats aren't waiting too long to bring Kiros into the fold, with some even exulting in her win.

• "I'm grateful for all Diana has done ... as our region's dean," Rep. Emily Randall (D-Wash.) told Axios. "I don't know Melat yet, but I sent her a note of congratulations and look forward to welcoming her to the team."
• Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who backed Kiros, told Axios: "The progressive movement is where the energy of our party is across the nation."

What's next: The left isn't done yet. They're pinning their hopes on a slew of progressive candidates to knock off as many as half a dozen more Democratic incumbents this cycle.

• The candidates include Donavan McKinney in Michigan, Oliver Larkin in Florida, Mai Vang and Angela Gonzalez-Torres in California, Kai Newkirk in Arizona and Elijah Manley in Florida.
• "A week after NYC," a fifth House Democrat told Axios, "there [is] momentum."