Staff Reports
Cori Bush, the self-styled champion of the far-left, has been unceremoniously shown the door from her congressional seat after a primary defeat that even her most ardent supporters could not have seen coming. This loss makes Bush the second member of the so-called “Squad” to bite the dust this election cycle, joining the ranks of other incumbents feeling the heat of voter discontent. The victor, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, managed to capture 51% of the votes, while Bush limped along with a mere 45.8% as the results rolled in.
In a not-so-shocking twist, Bush’s downfall comes after significant funding from pro-Israel groups that threw a staggering $17 million into the race to ensure Bush’s defeat. A whopping $14.1 million of that went directly to supporting Bell. In comparison, Bush scraped together just $3.6 million in ad support—definitely not the kind of numbers you show off in a congressional primary. It’s as though her message resonated with voters as well as a wet paper bag.
Cori Bush is second ‘Squad’ member ousted after losing primary to Wesley Bell
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.https://t.co/sVN4lh9yx9
— Trump2024_no_matter_what (@TexasTrump2024) August 7, 2024
Bell’s backing by powerful organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) speaks volumes about the political landscape. After watching Bush’s anti-Israel rhetoric and alignment with the fringe elements of her party, voters decided they wanted leadership that prioritized the U.S.-Israel relationship. AIPAC celebrated Bell’s victory, mocking Bush’s representation of a “hostile extremist fringe” as if it were a badge of honor. Political analysts may want to take notes: being pro-Israel is evidently not just good policy, it’s also a vote-winner.
Despite the last-ditch effort from fellow Squad members to rally support for Bush just hours before the polls closed, their enthusiasm didn’t translate into votes. Bush’s defeat is a clear signal that constituents are growing weary of the progressive agenda, especially when it involves failing to address public safety and anti-drug decriminalization stances that ring alarm bells back home. She also faced significant scrutiny over her financial dealings, including paying her husband as a security detail, which raised eyebrows about her priorities.
While Missouri’s 1st District may be historically solid for Democrats, 2023 is proving that voter sentiment can shift dramatically, leaving incumbents like Bush wondering where it all went wrong. Wesley Bell’s eventual path to the general election is all but secured, with a slate of five Republican candidates waiting in the wings, none of whom seem poised to topple him during the next showdown. All of this reflects a mounting sentiment that upholding America’s allies, rather than vilifying them, plays well with voters who want representation that reflects their values and beliefs.
