Rep. Cori Bush, a prominent member of the progressive “Squad,” is facing a significant challenge in her bid for reelection.
A new poll conducted by McLaughlin & Associates for the CCA Action Fund shows Bush trailing St. Louis prosecuting attorney Wesley Bell by 23 percentage points, with Bell leading 56% to 33% in the upcoming August 6 Democratic Primary for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District.
The poll also revealed that 11% of voters remain undecided or support lesser-known candidates Ron Harshaw and Maria Chappelle-Nadal.
This development follows another setback for the “Squad” as New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman was defeated by moderate Westchester County Executive George Latimer in a June 25 Democratic primary for New York’s 16th District.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has been a notable issue in both races, highlighting stark contrasts between the candidates.
Bush has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions against Hamas, while Bell supports Israel’s right to defend itself, gaining backing from pro-Israel Democrats.
“Cori Bush has wasted her time in Congress to focus on her own fame in ‘The Squad’—while her constituents suffer,” said Pastor Marc Little, spokesperson for the anti-Bush CCA Action Fund. “This poll proves St. Louis wants a Representative who will champion our community and its prosperity and safety, and who will defend America—not a Cori Bush who wants to tear it all down.”
Bush, a two-term incumbent, has a favorability rating of 50% among registered Democrats, with 47% viewing her unfavorably.
Additionally, 51% of Democrats disapprove of her job performance, while only 46% approve. In contrast, Bell is viewed favorably by 70% of respondents and unfavorably by just 18%.
The survey of 300 likely Democratic voters, conducted between June 28 and July 1 via telephone and text interviews, has a margin of error of ±5.7 percentage points.
A previous poll by the Mellman Group for the Democratic Majority for Israel indicated a much closer race, with Bell leading Bush by just one point, 43% to 42%.
This earlier poll also found Bell to be more popular and having a higher job performance rating than Bush.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and the Democratic Majority for Israel are actively supporting Bell, with AIPAC’s Super PAC, the United Democracy Project, already spending $4.2 million in the race, according to AdImpact Politics.
Bush has faced additional scrutiny, confirming in January that the Justice Department was investigating her campaign’s spending on security services, which employed a former security guard she married.
Despite these challenges, Bush recently received endorsements from influential unions, including SEIU Healthcare, National Nurses United, and the Communication Workers of America.
The Bush campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment.
