Democratic Rep. Cori Bush lost her primary bid against St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Wesley Bell for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District on Wednesday, The New York Times projected.
Bush lost by 5.6%, bringing in 45.6% while Bell brought in 51.2% of the vote, according to The New York Times. Bush is the second member of the “squad,” an informal group of nine far-left House members, to be ousted by a primary challenger after Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York lost his primary bid against Westchester County Executive George Latimer on June 25. (RELATED: ‘Squad’ Dem Fighting For Survival Wants To ‘Be Careful’ About Labeling Hamas As Terrorists)
“At the end of the day, whether I’m a congresswoman or not, I’m still taking care of my people,” Bush said.
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 07: U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) (C) and Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) hold up signs as President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address during a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol on March 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
*I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust the people of this district have placed in me,” Bell said in a statement. “This victory belongs to every volunteer, every supporter, and every voter who believes in our vision for a better future.”
Just a week out of the race, Bush was trailing six points behind Bell, according to a survey conducted by the Wellman Group from July 29. Prior to the latest poll, Bush was facing an over 20-point deficit against Bell, according to a survey conducted by McLaughlin & Associates from July 14.
Bush, like her fellow “squad” member Bowman, faced criticism and a significant polling deficit after taking a pro-Palestinian stance in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
US Representative Ilhan Omar (C), Democrat of Minnesota, speaks alongside Representative Rashida Tlaib (2nd R), Democrat from Michigan, and Representative Cori Bush (L), Democrat of Missouri, during a press conference with union leaders and supporters of a ceasefire in Gaza outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, December 14, 2023. The war began after the Palestinian group’s unprecedented October 7 attacks on Israel that Israeli officials say killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and launched an unrelenting military offensive that has left swathes of Gaza in ruins. The health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said 18,787 people have been killed, mostly women and children. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
CLAYTON, MISSOURI – AUGUST 6: Congressional candidate Wesley Bell greets supporters after casting his ballot at the Mid County Branch Library on August 6, 2024 in Clayton, Missouri. Bell is looking to unseat US Representative Cori Bush (D-MO) in Missouri’s primary election today. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – AUGUST 6: U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) gestures to the crowd prior to delivering her concession speech during a primary election watch party at Chevre Events on August 6, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. Bush lost Tuesday’s Democratic primary to St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Bush has continuously called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and has referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “war criminal” who “stood for genocide.” Bush, along with other “squad” members, voted against a resolution condemning Hamas for starting an “unprovoked war on Israel” on Oct. 7. (RELATED: Cori Bush Still Using Campaign Cash To Pay Husband, Despite Ongoing Federal Investigation)
As a result of Bush’s remarks and her voting record, various pro-Israeli groups, like the American Israel Affairs Public Committee (AIPAC) and the Jewish Democratic Council of America, have opted to back Bell. AIPAC alone has spent nearly $9 million on ads against Bush in support of Bell in the race.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 28: Representative Cori Bush speaks as student loan borrowers and advocates gather for the People’s Rally To Cancel Student Debt During The Supreme Court Hearings On Student Debt Relief on February 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for People’s Rally to Cancel Student Debt )
FERGUSON, MO – JUNE 17: St. Louis County Prosecutor, Wesley Bell gives remarks during the Ferguson mayoral inauguration ceremony for Ella James at the Urban League Empowerment Center on June 17, 2020 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ella Jones becomes the city’s first African-American Mayor in it’s 165-year history. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
“AIPAC’s grassroots members are proud to support strong pro-Israel progressive Democrats like Wesley Bell,” AIPAC said in a statement to The Associated Press on Aug. 1 ahead of the election. “Cori Bush has been one of the most hostile critics of Israel since she came to Congress in 2021 and has actively worked to undermine mainstream Democratic support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.” (RELATED: Dem Leaders Back ‘Squad’ Member One Week After Major Blow To Group)
“I am committed to serving the St. Louis region in Congress with integrity, transparency, and dedication,” Bell said in the statement. “Together, we will tackle the challenges ahead and build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
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