USA (Washington Insider Magazine) – Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. On Tuesday, she was defeated in her primary, becoming the second progressive “squad” member to lose a Democratic primary in 2024. Bush, seeking her third term in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, was defeated by St. Louis state Rep. Wesley Bell. Bell, who received significant support from a large pro-Israel group, secured the nomination in a closely contested race.
The previous contest for Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s Bronx seat was the most costly House primary in American history, with the Missouri primary coming in second. Bell used the ongoing probe into Bush’s campaign funding to paint her as out of touch with her people throughout the campaign. Bush’s vocal criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, however, was a major factor in the election and helped to define the perception of the race.
Bush’s Stance on Israel Draws Attention
According to USAToday, Bush, a registered nurse and activist, gained attention as the first member of Congress to call for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, following the October 7 Hamas attacks. Since then, she has remained a steadfast critic of Israel’s handling of the war and has accused Israeli officials of committing genocide. Her stance led to significant financial backing for Bell from the United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which spent over $8 million to support his campaign.
The Missouri primary is part of a broader strategy by AIPAC to support candidates who challenge progressive Democrats critical of Israel’s handling of the Gaza conflict. Another “squad” member, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, lost his primary earlier this year to a moderate opponent, despite AIPAC spent over $7 million on that contest. Other “Squad” members, such as Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), have so far this year successfully defended their seats despite these losses.
Challenges for the remaining Squad members
Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) faces a tough primary challenge from former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels next week. Deep disagreements exist within the Democratic Party on matters like U.S. foreign policy generally and Israel policy in particular, as evidenced by the ongoing political struggles.
