Another one bites the dust.
Missouri Democratic Rep. Cori Bush, a founding member of the so-called progressive “Squad,” lost her primary re-election race this week as Democrat’s tear themselves apart along pro-Israel/pro-Palestinian lines. The first to fall earlier this summer was New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman.
Bush stuck her neck on the line in her re-election race when she became the first member of Congress to call for a Israel-Hama ceasefire, just days after Hamas launched a terror attack on Israeli civilians.
Only time will tell how many other “Squad” members will be out of jobs when voters head to the polls.
Here is the USA Today story on Bush’s primary ouster:
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., suffered a bruising defeat in her St. Louis district on Tuesday night, becoming the second member of the progressive group of House lawmakers known as “the Squad” to lose a Democratic primary to a more moderate opponent this year.
Bush, a second-term lawmaker, was bested in the Democratic race for Missouri’s 1st District by St. Louis prosecuting attorney Wesley Bell, who was backed by a major pro-Israel group. The race was the second most expensive House primary in U.S. history, taking a back seat only to the contest earlier this year for Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s Bronx-area seat, according to the group ad impact.
Bell sought to frame Bush as out of touch with her constituents throughout the monthslong race and highlighted the multiple investigations into her campaign finances. But Bush’s criticism of the Israeli government, more than any other factor, came to define the campaign.
A registered nurse and activist, Bush was the first member of Congress to call for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, nine days after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Since then, she has remained a steadfast critic of Israel’s handling of the war and accused Israeli officials of committing genocide.
The United Democracy Project, a super PAC aligned with The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, poured more than $8 million into the contest to boost Bell’s campaign to replace Bush in the halls of Congress. Justice Democrats, a PAC that has knocked U.S. aid to Israel, meanwhile, said it spent more than $2 million in support of Bush.
The St. Louis primary isn’t the first race where AIPAC has played a role in 2024. The group has put its weight behind an array of candidates challenging some of the most vocal Democratic lawmakers criticizing Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza.