When Rep. Democrat Cori Bush was elected in 2020, she became the first black woman to represent Missouri, the first nurse and the first organizer of Black Lives Matter movement in Congress. And he hopes Tuesday’s primary will go ahead, but it’s a tough ride — and the second-most expensive House primary of 2024 — against challenger Wesley Bell, the St. Louis County attorney.
“My community knows who I am,” Bush told CBS News. “This district has seen me for the last 10 years, from an activist to a ‘politician,’ as I call myself. They know about me. They know that I will fight for the people in the streets.”
Bush rose to national prominence after defeating longtime vice president Lacy Clay in 2020. He won in 2022, but the two-term congressman now faces his toughest political battle against Bell.
“Congresswomen are not doing their jobs,” Bell said in an interview with CBS News. “They’re not working for other people, and they’re hurting our district.”
The competitive race for Missouri’s First Congressional District comes just weeks after the incumbent New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman became the first Squad member to lose a primary this year when moderate Westchester County Executive George Latimer defeated him in June. Nearly $25 million was spent on advertising, making it the most expensive primary race in the country. According to Ad Impact, Tuesday’s contest ranked second, with a total spend of $19 million.
“There is a concern, so we understand, of having an amazing ground game,” Bush told CBS News. “We know what’s at stake.”
Bowman joined Bush on a virtual campaign call Monday, along with several other Squad members, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Summer Lee.
“I know exactly what you’re going through,” said Bowman, who called the loss “unfortunate.” “I know what it feels like to be constantly bombarded with ads and mailers and lies and BS that really destroys who you are and your record.”
The pro-Israel super PAC United Democracy Project, an affiliate of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, spent more than $14.8 million criticizing Bowman’s record. The same organization provided more than $9 million to support Bell and fight Bush. The group has targeted Bush over his early calls for a cease-fire in Gaza and his criticism of Israel’s attacks on Hamas. At one point, he accused Israel of conducting a “campaign of ethnic cleansing.” Most of the super PAC’s ads have focused on his vote against Democratic infrastructure bills and his overall record.
“This level of spending is a testament to the strength of Cori Bush – a former nurse and single mother who fought for working people in the district as a threat to right-wing interests, corporate power and Republican megadonors, who must be dragged through the mud. challenge him,” said Usamah Andrabi of the Justice Democrats, who have spent about $2.4 million to boost Bush.
“These are some of the same donors and contributions that members of congress made in the last election,” Bell replied. “So it seems like sour grapes. It seems a bit hypocritical for me to get that kind of support for a bad reason.
Bush and Bell did not debate during the primary, but the two sides have tangled on several issues. Last week a recording of a phone call between the two candidates in June 2023 was leaked, and according to the recording posted online on the Drop Site, Bell told Bush, “I’m not against you.”
“I just wish he had told the truth from the start,” Bush quipped. “There’s no reason to say ‘no,’ and say, you know, in her words, ‘you have my word.'”
Bell claims he was “surreptitiously recorded” when he toured the Senate last year. He said his perspective changed after talking to voters.
“This is not a personal matter with congressmen,” Bell said. “It’s personal because I care about this county and this area.”
Another flashpoint is the handle Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. It marks the 10th anniversary since the 18-year-old was taken by the local police, Darren Wilson, sparking a massive demonstration. Bush was one of the main organizers in the field and remained close to the Brown family. Bell, a former municipal prosecutor and judge, serves on the Ferguson City Council. When Bell became district attorney, he reopened the investigation into Brown’s death, but in 2020 declare that no charges will be brought against Wilson.
In one of Bush’s closing ads, Brown’s father, Michael Brown Sr., claimed Bell “lied us” by failing to fill Wilson.
“I don’t know what we can do,” Bell said. “We promised to investigate, and we did that. We conducted a thorough investigation, checked, but without new evidence, unfortunately, that’s what it is. prosecuting people without evidence.”
If elected, Bell said he would focus on a variety of issues including jobs, gun safety and affordable health care.
“That’s what I want to bring to DC, the spirit of working together and getting things done,” Bell said.
Bush remains hopeful that Democrats can secure a majority in November. If she wins another term, she plans to continue her work on reproductive rights, helping the homeless and advancing the Equal Rights Amendment.
“There are a few things on my list,” Bush said.
Nicole Killion
