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 prosecutor for St. Louis County, according to projections by the Associated Press.
Elected in 2020, Bush made history as the first Black woman to represent Missouri, the first nurse, and the first Black Lives Matter organizer in Congress. The primary race in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District between Bush and Bell was the second most expensive House primary of 2024.
“My community knows who I am,” Bush previously told News. “This district has seen me for the last 10 years going from activist to ‘politivist,’ as I call myself. They know I fight for the people in the streets.”
Bush gained national attention after defeating long-serving Rep. Lacy Clay in 2020. She easily won her 2022 race but faced her toughest challenge yet against Bell.
“The congresswoman is not doing her job,” Bell stated in a News interview. “She is not collaborating with others, which is harming our district.”
This competitive primary followed the defeat of New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman, another “Squad” member, by moderate Westchester County Executive George Latimer in June. The primary became the most expensive race in the country, with nearly $25 million spent on ads. Tuesday’s contest ranked second with around $19 million in total spending.
“There is concern, which is why we have an amazing ground game,” Bush told CBS News. “We understand what’s at stake.”
Bowman, along with fellow Squad members Reps. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Summer Lee, joined Bush in a virtual campaign call on Monday.
“I know exactly what you’re going through,” said Bowman, calling his loss “unfortunate.” “I know what it feels 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 the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), spent over $14.8 million criticizing Bowman’s record. The same group allocated over $9 million to support Bell and oppose Bush, targeting her for early calls for a Gaza ceasefire and criticism of Israel’s actions against Hamas. Most ads focused on her vote against the Democratic infrastructure bill and her overall record.
“This level of spending highlights Biles back on top: Simone Biles clinches second Olympic all-around gold Cori Bush’s strength—that a former nurse and single mother fighting for working people is such a threat to right-wing interests, corporate power, and Republican megadonors,” said Usamah Andrabi of Justice Democrats, which spent around $2.4 million supporting Bush.
Bell responded, “These are the same donors and donations she targeted in previous elections. It’s hypocritical to suggest my support must be for nefarious reasons.”
Bush and Bell did not debate during the primary but clashed over several issues. A leaked recording from a June 2023 call between them, posted on Drop Site, had Bell telling Bush, “I am not running against you.”
“I just wish he would have been truthful from the start,” Bush commented. “There was no reason to say ‘no,’ and to give, in his words, ‘his word.'”
Bell claimed he was “secretly recorded” while exploring a Senate run last year, but his perspective shifted after speaking with voters.
“This isn’t personal with the congresswoman,” Bell explained. “It’s personal because I care about this district and this region.”
A significant issue was the handling of Michael Brown’s 2014 death in Ferguson, Missouri. Bush was a key organizer during the resulting protests and has remained close to Brown’s family. Bell, a former municipal prosecutor and judge, reopened an investigation into Brown’s death as county prosecutor but announced in 2020 that no charges would be brought against the officer involved, Darren Wilson.
In one of Bush’s closing ads, Brown’s father, Michael Brown Sr., accused Bell of lying due to his failure to charge Wilson.
“I don’t know what else we could have done,” Bell countered. “We conducted a thorough investigation, but without new evidence, it is what it is. I promised as county prosecutor that we don’t prosecute without evidence.”
If elected, Bell aims to focus on issues such as jobs, gun safety, and affordable healthcare.
“I intend to bring the spirit of cooperation and getting things done to D.C.,” Bell said.
Bush remains optimistic about the Democrats’ chances in November. If reelected, she plans to continue her work on reproductive rights, assisting the unhoused, and advancing the Equal Rights Amendment.
“There are quite a few things on my list,” Bush said.
