Written by Peter Johnson.

In a significant political upset, a second member of the progressive “Squad” in the U.S. House was defeated in a primary on Tuesday. County prosecutor Wesley Bell triumphed over incumbent Cori Bush in the Democratic primary for Missouri’s 1st District. Bell, who had previously withdrawn from the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Josh Hawley, secured 52% of the vote to Bush’s 47%, with 40% of precincts reporting to the Missouri Secretary of State.

Bell’s victory was largely driven by strong support in St. Louis County, where he serves as prosecutor, receiving 56% of the vote. Conversely, Bush garnered 55% of the vote in the City of St. Louis. Financially, Bell raised $4.7 million compared to Bush’s $2.9 million, with millions more funneled to Bell through political action committees aiming to unseat Bush, who has faced ethical challenges and controversy over her outspoken support for Hamas and anti-Semitic remarks.

“Running a positive message in a campaign is the right thing to do,” Bell told supporters at a downtown St. Louis gathering, televised by several outlets. “Words matter. We ran a campaign on issues. That’s what we do.” Bell decided to challenge Bush last October after she criticized Israel and accused its government of an “ethnic cleansing campaign.”

The Impact of Bush’s Controversial Stance

U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York was the first “Squad” member to lose a Democratic primary in June, also after criticizing Israel. Bush’s inflammatory comments, including a post on X stating, “Babies, dead. Pregnant women, dead. Elderly, dead. Generations of families, dead. Millions of people in Gaza with nowhere to go being slaughtered. The U.S. must stop funding these atrocities against Palestinians,” drew significant backlash. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee congratulated Bell, stating, “Once again, a progressive pro-Israel Democrat has prevailed over a candidate who represents the extremist fringe that is hostile to the Jewish state.”

Both Bell and Bush became prominent figures during the 2014 Ferguson riots following the shooting of Michael Brown. In Bush’s TV ads, Brown’s father accused Bell of breaking a promise to ensure justice for his son. Bell, who became the first black prosecutor in St. Louis County in 2018 by defeating Bob McCulloch, found no grounds to charge Officer Darren Wilson in his 2020 review of the case.

Key Primary Races and Their Outcomes

Bush, who unseated U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay in 2020, was one of six Democrats to vote against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. She has been vocal in her opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, sharing her own abortion experience in campaign ads. Despite her defeat, Bush’s tenure has been marked by her advocacy and controversial positions.

In other notable primary races on Tuesday, Lucas Kunce, who lost the 2022 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate to Trudy Busch Valentine, won the nomination with 66% of the vote in a four-candidate race. Republican incumbent Josh Hawley faced no opposition in his primary. State Senator Bob Onder, the only candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary for U.S. Representative District 3, won with 47% of the vote. The retiring Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer endorsed former state Sen. Kurt Schaefer, who received 37% in a seven-way race. All other incumbent Republican U.S. Representatives who had primary challengers won their elections.

Our Take

The defeat of Cori Bush and other Squad members signifies a critical shift within the Democratic Party, moving away from radical positions and controversial stances. This change is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring political accountability. Bush’s inflammatory comments and ethical issues have polarized voters and raised questions about her leadership.

Bell’s victory demonstrates a preference for pragmatic and issue-focused leadership over divisive rhetoric. This trend could foster more balanced and effective governance, ultimately benefiting the public. As political landscapes evolve, it’s essential for leaders to prioritize constructive dialogue and transparency.