Cori Bush becomes second 'Squad' member to lose 2024 primary as Democrats split over Israel

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 1^st 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 AdImpact. 

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.  

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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 has 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 opposed 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 in which 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.  

In July, Bowman, Bush’s fellow Squad member, lost the Democratic primary in his district to a more moderate candidate whose campaign was aided by outside funding. The United Democracy Project spent more than $7 million in that race.

Bowman , in a fundraising call Monday night, told Bush that he knew exactly what she was experiencing and said she was a "powerful truth teller."

Several other members of the Squad – the group of progressive lawmakers who came to prominence during former President Donald Trump's term – have managed to fend off similar challenges this year. Among them: Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. 

Others in the group still have a difficult race ahead this year. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., faces a tough primary challenge from former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels next week.