Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush faced a setback on Tuesday as she became the second member of the “Squad” to lose in a Democratic primary this year, following her colleague Rep. Jamaal Bowman from New York.
Bush, known for her controversial reign and her rise to fame during the Black Lives Matter movement, was denied a third term when Democratic voters chose St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell for the seat that covers St. Louis city and parts of St. Louis County. Pro-Israel organizations invested millions in efforts to unseat Bush, who has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza and its government.
“The many have spoken!” the American Israel Public Affairs Committee declared on X following Bell’s victory announcement. “Congrats to pro-Israel progressive leader @bell4mo on your significant win against anti-Israel Squad member Rep. Cori Bush!”
Bell’s campaign received substantial support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which deployed $8.5 million through its super PAC, United Democracy Project, to remove Bush from office. They targeted her after her continuous criticism regarding Israel’s reaction to the Hamas attack on October 7.
‘SQUAD’ REP CORI BUSH LOSES HIGHLY CONTENTIOUS PRIMARY AGAINST PRO-ISRAEL DEMOCRAT
Bush gives her concession speech during a primary election watch party at Chevre Events on August 6, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Bell’s campaign strategy mirrored a successful approach utilized earlier in New York. Back in June, United Democracy Project invested $15 million to defeat another member of the Squad—Bowman, who lost to pro-Israel centrist George Latimer.
“AIPAC and our 4.5 million grassroots members take pride in supporting Wesley Bell!” the organization stated. “Being pro-Israel translates to both sensible policy and smart politics!”
In her concession speech, Bush pointed fingers at AIPAC. “They have only served to radicalize me, so they should be worried,” she remarked.
“AIPAC, I’m coming to dismantle your empire,” Bush proclaimed. “And let this serve as notice to all corporations, I’m coming after you as well!”
The outcome was celebrated by conservatives and supporters of Israel.
“Congresswoman Cori Bush becomes the second Squad member to lose a primary this election cycle. She and Jamaal Bowman can now join forces with Hamas,” tweeted OutKick founder Clay Travis.
THIS HOUSE DEMOCRAT BECOMES THE FIRST SQUAD MEMBER DEFEATED IN A PRIMARY
Representatives Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Cori Bush of Missouri hold signs stating “Stop Sending Bombs” and “Lasting Ceasefire Now” while President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 7, 2024. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
“NEXT UP: Ilhan Omar,” said Chaya Raichik, known for her Libs of TikTok account on X. “The Squad is too radical even for the Democrats.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican rival of the Squad, humorously remarked, “I will miss Cori Bush being absent from every committee meeting.”
Some individuals on the left accused AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups of orchestrating a smear campaign against Bush through a multi-million dollar ad blitz or even of buying the seat.
“AIPAC can brag about ‘taking out another member of the Squad,’ but ultimately they will be the true losers. They and their allies invested over $13 million to malign and defame @CoriBush,” remarked James J. Zogby, founder and president of the American Arab Institute. “Cori was greatly respected, and their treatment of her won’t be forgotten.”
AOC EASILY WINS DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell speaks during an interview in Clayton, Missouri, on July 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Eman Abdelhadi, a sociology professor at the University of Chicago, accused AIPAC of perpetuating racist tropes to undermine Bush, citing allegations that the United Democracy Project distorted her images in campaign materials. The super PAC denied such claims, dismissing them as “completely false and absurd.”
“AIPAC ran illegal ads against Cori Bush that distorted her image into a racial caricature. That’s the state of American politics today. She deserves better than this clown country,” said Abdelhadi.
Brianna Wu, a former congressional candidate and founder of the progressive Rebellion PAC, provided a more nuanced perspective on Bush’s loss.
“Cori Bush lost tonight because she didn’t take her district seriously and because she became the national face for misguided progressive ideas like defunding the police,” Wu expressed.
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“The future of progressive politics will look less like Bush and more like [Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim] Walz.”
“Being close with individuals perceived as antisemites is also unhelpful,” she added.
Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
