Cori Bush, a prominent member of the “Squad” and a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, has lost her congressional primary race in Missouri. Pro-Israel organizations reportedly invested over $10 million to support her opponent.
Bush gained recognition as an organizer with the Black Lives Matter movement and became known for advocating progressive issues after taking office in 2021. The Democratic candidate for the upcoming election in November will now be St. Louis prosecutor Wesley Bell, who appears to have secured approximately 51% of the vote compared to Bush’s 46%, according to projections from the Associated Press and NBC News. The district is heavily Democratic, and Bell is expected to retain it in the general election.
The bulk of the funding opposing Bush’s campaign reportedly came from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), a pro-Israel lobbying organization that has committed over $100 million to target progressive lawmakers critical of the Gaza conflict. This marks the second setback for the Squad in recent months, following Jamaal Bowman’s defeat in New York, where more than $15 million was spent to unseat him.
Ahead of the primary, Bell criticized Bush for failing to collaborate effectively with others in Congress, suggesting it was detrimental to their district. In response, Bush defended her commitment to her community, stating that she is dedicated to fighting for the people.
Shortly after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in significant casualties in Israel and hostages taken to Gaza, Bush introduced a resolution advocating for a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance. Israel subsequently imposed a comprehensive siege on Gaza, leading to widespread deaths during its military operations.
Bush has also protested against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him a war criminal and accusing Congress of endorsing his actions.
In addition to her electoral challenges, Bush is under investigation by the Justice Department and other agencies for her campaign expenditures, including allegations regarding improper payments to her husband. She has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the use of federal funds.