Rep. Cori Bush, member of “The Squad,” projected to lose Democratic primary to challenger Wesley Bell
Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri lost her reelection bid on Tuesday to primary challenger Wesley Bell, the St. Louis County prosecutor, according to projections by the Associated Press.
Bush made history in 2020 by becoming the first Black woman to represent Missouri, as well as the first nurse and first Black Lives Matter organizer to serve in Congress. The primary contest in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District between Bush and Bell was the second most expensive House primary in 2024.
“My community knows who I am,” Bush previously told CBS News. “This district has seen me for the last 10 years transitioning from activist to ‘politivist,’ as I call myself. They know that I will fight for the people in the streets.”
Bush gained national attention after defeating longtime incumbent Rep. Lacy Clay in 2020 and easily won her 2022 race. However, this year, she faced a formidable challenge from Bell.
“The congresswoman is not doing her job,” Bell said in an interview with News. “She is not collaborating with others, which is detrimental to our district.”
This competitive primary occurred just weeks after New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman, another member of the “Squad,” Phillies vs Dodgers Best bets: Odds, predictions, recent stats, and trends lost his primary to moderate Westchester County Executive George Latimer. Nearly $25 million was spent on ads for Bowman’s race, making it the most expensive primary of the year, followed by Bush’s primary with approximately $19 million in spending.
“There is concern, which is why we have such an amazing ground game,” Bush told News. “We understand what’s at stake.”
Bowman joined Bush in a virtual campaign call on Monday, along with other Squad members, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Summer Lee.
“I know exactly what you’re going through,” said Bowman, referring to his own defeat. “I know what it’s like to be bombarded with ads and mailers that distort who you are and your record.”
The pro-Israel super PAC United Democracy Project, affiliated with AIPAC, spent over $14.8 million against Bowman and more than $9 million supporting Bell and opposing Bush. The group targeted Bush for her early calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and her criticism of Israel’s actions against Hamas, at one point accusing Israel of conducting an “ethnic cleansing campaign.” The PAC’s ads have focused on her vote against the Democratic infrastructure bill and her overall record.
“This level of spending shows the strength of Cori Bush—that a former nurse and single mother fighting for her district poses such a threat to right-wing interests and corporate power that they resort to dragging our democracy through the mud to challenge her,” said Usamah Andrabi of Justice Democrats, which has spent about $2.4 million to support Bush.
In response, Bell said, “These are the same donors and donations the congresswoman opposed in her previous elections. It seems hypocritical to label my support as nefarious.”
Bush and Bell did not debate during the primary, but tensions arose over various issues. Last week, a recording of a June 2023 phone call between them was leaked, with Bell telling Bush, “I am not running against you.”
“I just wish he had told the truth from the start,” Bush said. “There was no need to say ‘no’ and then change his mind.”
Bell claims he was “secretly recorded” while exploring a Senate run and that his perspective changed after speaking with voters.
“This isn’t personal against the congresswoman,” Bell explained. “It’s about caring for this district and region.”
A major point of contention is the handling of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. This Friday marks the 10th anniversary of Brown’s shooting by a police officer, which sparked massive protests. Bush was a key organizer during the demonstrations and has remained close to the Brown family. Bell, who served on the Ferguson City Council, reopened the investigation into Brown’s death as county prosecutor but announced in 2020 that no charges would be brought against the officer.
In one of Bush’s closing ads, Michael Brown Sr. claimed Bell “lied to us” by not charging the officer.
“I don’t know what else we could have done,” Bell countered. “We conducted a thorough investigation, but without new evidence, there was nothing more we could do. As county prosecutor, I promised not to prosecute without evidence.”
If elected, Bell plans to focus on jobs, gun safety, and affordable healthcare.
“I aim to bring a spirit of collaboration and accomplishment to D.C.,” Bell said.
Bush remains hopeful that Democrats can secure the majority in November. If reelected, she plans to continue her work on reproductive rights, helping the unhoused, and advancing the Equal Rights Amendment.
“There are many things on my list,” Bush said.
