Cori Bush Loses Missouri Democratic Primary to Wesley Bell

In a significant political upset, Wesley Bell, a St. Louis County prosecutor, defeated Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) in the Democratic primary for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. Bell's victory marks the end of Bush's tenure as a member of the "Squad," a group of progressive lawmakers known for their outspoken criticism of Israel.

At press time, Bell led with over 63,000 votes (51.2%) to Bush's 56,000 votes (45.6%), with 95% of the votes counted. The Associated Press has called the race in Bell's favor, highlighting a shift in voter sentiment within the district.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) congratulated Bell on his victory, emphasizing the importance of his win against an incumbent with anti-Israel views. "Once again, a progressive pro-Israel Democrat has prevailed over a candidate who represents the extremist fringe that is hostile to the Jewish state," AIPAC stated.

Bush is the second "Squad" member to be defeated in recent primaries, following George Latimer's victory over Rep. Jamaal Bowman. This trend reflects a broader rejection of anti-Israel rhetoric in favor of candidates who prioritize the U.S.-Israel relationship. AIPAC noted, "The outcome in this race—as in so many others—shows that the pro-Israel position is both good policy and good politics for both parties."

The Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI) PAC also congratulated Bell, with Mark Mellman, the PAC's chairman, stating, "Wesley Bell’s victory and Cori Bush’s defeat underscore what we’ve seen in races across the country and throughout this election cycle—being pro-Israel is not just wise policy, but also smart politics."

Mellman added that the results demonstrate a desire among Democrats for unity and practical progress rather than division and extremism. "They want the kind of progressive results Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have delivered by bringing people together," he said.

Bell's victory signals a reaffirmation of support for Israel within the Democratic Party and underscores the political benefits of maintaining strong ties with the Jewish state. As the newly elected representative for Missouri's 1st Congressional District, Bell is expected to continue advocating for a robust U.S.-Israel alliance.

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