Melat Kiros makes history as first woman from Gen Z elected to Congress
Melat Kiros has become the first woman from Generation Z to be elected to the U.S. Congress after winning her seat in Colorado. A democratic socialist, Kiros aims to bring a fresh perspective to the institution while acknowledging the steep learning curve ahead.
Why it matters
Her election marks a generational shift in American politics, highlighting the increasing influence of younger demographics in legislative bodies.
Washington — Melat Kiros, who defeated Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado's primary in July, was born in 1997, the same year DeGette began her decadeslong congressional career.On Tuesday night, the 29-year-old democratic socialist made history as the first Generation Z woman to be elected to Congress. Kiros joins Democratic Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida, who in 2022 was the first member of the generation born between 1997 and 2012 to win a congressional seat. In an interview with CBS News, Kiros declined to say what advice she's received from Frost about entering Congress as the youngest member, but said he's "been really wonderful in helping me get a sense of what it's like walking into this institution as young as we are."
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