Former U.S. Representative Cori Bush may be preparing for a political comeback, with multiple reports suggesting she could announce a new campaign to reclaim her old seat in the coming days.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Bush has quietly been hiring staff and organizing behind the scenes in recent months, a clear sign she is laying the groundwork for another run against Congressman Wesley Bell, who unseated her in a contentious and expensive August 2024 Democratic primary.
Bush, a progressive Democrat and activist who first rose to prominence during the Ferguson protests, had hinted in her farewell House floor speech that her time in Congress might not be over.
In a June interview with Spectrum News, she noted she was not setting a timeline for a decision but confirmed her intention to stay engaged in politics by launching a political action committee to support progressive candidates nationwide.
Bush could not be reached for comment Friday, and her former campaign spokesperson, Craig Phelps, declined to weigh in on the reported comeback effort.
The Bell campaign, however, wasted no time in responding.
Jordan Blasé, a spokesperson for Congressman Bell, criticized Bush’s record, saying she had been “fired by her constituents for failing to represent them and failing to stand up for the Democratic agenda.”
He added that Bell remains focused on delivering results and improving the lives of people in his district.
If Bush officially enters the race, the rematch could draw national attention as a clash between the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and more moderate voices.
Her previous campaign was bolstered by grassroots enthusiasm and national support from progressive figures, while Bell, a former St. Louis County prosecuting attorney, leveraged strong local networks and institutional Democratic backing.
With Bush’s possible re-entry into the race, Missouri’s 1st Congressional District may once again become a key battleground for the future direction of the Democratic Party.
