Representative Cori Bush, D-Mo., a prominent member of the progressive “Squad,” suffered a significant defeat in her bid for re-election in Missouri’s 1st District on Tuesday night.
The second-term lawmaker was unseated by St. Louis prosecuting attorney Wesley Bell, marking the second loss for a “Squad” member in Democratic primaries this year.
Bush’s defeat follows that of Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., earlier this year, signaling a contentious split within the Democratic Party over issues related to Israel.
Bell, backed by major pro-Israel groups, including the United Democracy Project, focused his campaign on portraying Bush as out of touch with her constituents and highlighting ongoing investigations into her campaign finances.
Bush, a registered nurse and activist, has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government. She was the first member of Congress to call for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. Throughout her campaign, she accused Israeli officials of committing genocide, a stance that drew significant backlash and financial opposition from pro-Israel groups.
The United Democracy Project, a super PAC aligned with The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), invested over $8 million to support Bell’s campaign. In contrast, Justice Democrats, a PAC critical of U.S. aid to Israel, spent more than $2 million in favor of Bush.
The primary contest in St. Louis became the second most expensive House primary in U.S. history, surpassed only by Bowman’s Bronx-area primary earlier this year. AIPAC has actively supported candidates opposing prominent Democratic critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza, with significant financial contributions influencing several races.
Despite Bush’s loss, other members of the “Squad” have successfully defended their seats. Representatives Summer Lee, D-Penn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., have managed to fend off similar challenges. However, the primary season is not over, with Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., facing a formidable challenge from former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels next week.
Bowman, who lost his primary in July, empathized with Bush during a fundraising call on Monday night, acknowledging the difficult campaign and lauding her as a “powerful truth teller.”
As the Democratic Party grapples with internal divisions over Israel, the outcomes of these primaries highlight the ongoing struggle between progressive and moderate factions within the party.
