Sat. Oct 5th, 2024
Rep. Cori Bush gives a concession speech to supporters on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 after losing the Democratic primary in Missouri to Wesley Bell. (Source: Screenshot - KSDK)

ST. LOUIS — Weeks after fellow progressive Rep. Jamaal Bowman lost to his Democratic primary challenger, Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri suffered the same fate on Tuesday night.

Bush, an outspoken progressive who was against the war in Gaza and a fierce critic of Israel, lost her primary on Tuesday to Wesley Bell. Bush secured 46% of the votes compared to 51% for Bell.

Her challenger, Bell, is a prosecutor in St. Louis County who has been called a progressive.

According to DropSiteNews.com, leaked audio indicated Bell told Bush last year:

“And I’m telling you right now, I’m telling you on my word: I am not running against you. That is not happening.”

But months later, Bell challenged her seat.

Bush and Bowman were both members of the left-leaning group of U.S. representatives known as “The Squad,” along with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The Missouri congressional primary was one of the most expensive house races in history, with Bell’s campaign receiving about $9 million from pro-Israel AIPAC — the same super PAC that poured $15 million into former New York state senator George Latimer’s campaign, which ultimately ousted Bowman in June.

More about the historic campaign and Rep. Bush’s defeat.