Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) lost her primary election on Tuesday, making her the second “Squad” Democrat and third House incumbent to lose their seat this election cycle.
The Associated Press called the race for St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell at 11:04 p.m. Eastern time, over two hours after the polls closed. Bell won with 51% of the vote compared to Bush’s 45.8% at the time the race was called.
Bush is the second Squad member to be ousted after pro-Israel groups funneled millions into her race. AdImpact found that $17 million was poured into Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, with most of the funds going toward ads attacking Bush and supporting Bell. The attorney has seen $14.1 million in ad support, compared to the congresswoman seeing $3.6 million in ad support.
Bell was backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the largest pro-Israel organization, and its PAC, the United Democracy Project. AdImpact found UDP spent $8 million in support of Bell.
Despite her fellow Squad members rallying behind her on Monday night and urging attendees to get out the vote, Bush will now be the third House incumbent overall not returning to the chamber next year. Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Bob Good (R-VA) lost their primaries in June, with Good further losing a recount last week.
Both UDP and AIPAC released statements celebrating Bell’s win shortly after the Associated Press called the race.
“Bell’s win tonight, along with George Latimer’s (D) victory over Rep. Jamaal Bowman and John McGuire’s (R) defeat of Rep. Bob Good, is further proof that being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics on both sides of the aisle,” UDP said in a press release. “UDP will continue our efforts to support leaders working to strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance while countering detractors in either political party.”
AIPAC praised Bell for defeating Bush, “who represents the extremist fringe that is hostile to the Jewish state.”
“During this primary season, the pro-Israel mainstream has sent a powerful message that America stands with Israel as it battles Iranian terrorist proxies,” AIPAC said. “Voters across America are rejecting anti-Israel voices in favor of candidates who understand the vital importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Including Republican Rep. Bob Good’s loss, Rep. Bush’s defeat represents the third incumbent to have lost over their lack of an ironclad commitment to standing with America’s ally Israel.”
The congresswoman tweeted out at 7:42 p.m. Eastern time, 15 minutes before polls closed in Missouri, that there were reports of long lines and urged voters to “STAY IN LINE,” reminding them they legally must be allowed to vote if they are in line by the time polls close.
Bush, like many progressive Democrats, became targets of AIPAC and like-minded groups for her anti-Israel comments and support of the pro-Palestinian protests in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war raging in the Middle East. While most Democrats are staunch supporters of the Jewish state, a small but vocal sect of the conference has called for a ceasefire and end to the Israeli “occupation.”
The Missouri congresswoman also faced pushback from her constituents over her stances on public safety and decriminalization of drugs, as well as her voting record in Congress and a Justice Department investigation into her paying her husband as her security detail. She has denied any wrongdoing.
Both Bush and Bell rose to power in Missouri in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, particularly after Michael Brown, a black man, died at the hands of Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson, rocking the community and making national headlines.
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Bush attacked Bell over his career as a prosecutor during the campaign, highlighting the fact that he did not reopen the case against Wilson. Bell also faced scrutiny for a civil trial he is facing that has been delayed until January, in which he is accused of firing people based on their gender, age, and race. He has denied wrongdoing.
Missouri’s 1st District is rated solid Democratic by the Cook Political Report, meaning that Bell is likely to win the general election come November. Five candidates are running for the Republican nomination.
