Democratic congresswoman and “Squad” member Cori Bush has lost her primary race in Missouri, according to US media projections. Wesley Bell, a St Louis prosecutor, will instead be the party’s candidate in the state’s first congressional district this November.
Ms. Bush, who came to prominence as an organizer in the Black Lives Matter movement and as a member of the “Squad” known for supporting progressive causes, has been a vocal critic of Israel’s war in Gaza. Pro-Israel groups reportedly spent more than $10 million on efforts to unseat her in the primary.
Projections from both the Associated Press news agency and NBC News suggest Mr. Bell is on track to win the vote with 51% of ballots cast, compared to Ms. Bush’s 46%. The district is a strongly Democratic area, and Mr. Bell will be expected to hold it in the coming election.
This loss marks the second defeat for the Squad in recent months, with more than $15 million being spent to oust Jamaal Bowman, another critic of Israel, from his seat in New York. Mr. Bowman was censured for pulling a fire alarm while the House was in session just weeks before his defeat.
Speaking to CBS News, Mr. Bell accused Ms. Bush of “not doing her job” and not working with others, which he believes is hurting their district. In response, Ms. Bush defended her record, stating that her community knows she will fight for the people in the streets.
Less than two weeks after the attacks in October, Ms. Bush introduced a resolution calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in response to the violence in Gaza. She has also boycotted a joint address to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a war criminal and accusing him of genocide.
Ms. Bush has faced investigations by the justice department, House ethics committee, and Federal Elections Commission for her campaign spending, particularly allegations that she improperly paid her husband, a security guard, for protection. She has denied any misuse of federal funds.
The outcome of this primary race highlights the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party regarding progressive stances on issues like Israel and campaign finance. It remains to be seen how this loss will impact the future of the Squad and their influence within the party.
