Democratic Congresswoman Cori Bush, a prominent member of the “Squad,” has lost her primary race in Missouri, as projected by major media outlets. Instead, Wesley Bell, a St. Louis prosecutor, will be the Democratic candidate for the state’s first congressional district in the upcoming November elections.
Cori Bush gained national attention as a leader in the Black Lives Matter movement and has been an advocate for progressive policies since taking office in 2021. Throughout her tenure, she has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, facing intense opposition from pro-Israel groups that reportedly spent over $10 million to unseat her during the primary.
Projections indicate that Wesley Bell is leading the race with approximately 51% of the votes, with Bush trailing at around 46%. The district, known for its strong Democratic leanings, is expected to remain in Democratic hands as Bell approaches the general election.
Significantly, the majority of campaign funding aimed at defeating Bush was attributed to a pro-Israel lobbying organization, which plans to invest over $100 million to unseat progressive lawmakers critical of Israel’s military actions. This loss represents the second defeat for the progressive faction known as the “Squad” this year, following a significant expenditure of more than $15 million to oust another member, Jamaal Bowman, in New York.
In statements made prior to the election, Bell accused Bush of failing to effectively represent the district, while Bush defended her record, emphasizing her commitment to fighting for the community. In response to escalating violence in the region, Bush introduced a resolution calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid soon after the October attacks that resulted in significant loss of life in Israel and Gaza.
The attacks, attributed to Hamas and other militant groups, led to over 39,600 casualties in Gaza since Israel’s retaliatory military campaign began, as reported by local health authorities. Additionally, Bush staged a boycott of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress, publicly condemning him and the actions taken in Gaza.
Further complications surround Bush’s political career as she is under investigation by multiple federal entities regarding her campaign finance practices, particularly concerning payments made to her husband for security services. Bush has vigorously denied any wrongdoing, insisting that allegations of misuse of federal funds are unfounded.
