Voters in Minnesota’s strongly Democratic 1st Congressional District issued a decisive rejection of the left’s progressive faction on Tuesday, denying Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., a third term in office.
The member of “The Squad” lost her primary to St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell, a more centrist candidate who garnered support from pro-Israel groups that invested millions to unseat Bush due to her criticisms of Israel.
She is the second member of her ultra-progressive cohort to face primary defeat, following Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., who also lost to a moderate pro-Israel Democrat.
THIS HOUSE DEMOCRAT BECOMES THE FIRST SQUAD MEMBER DEFEATED IN A PRIMARY
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., has faced a contentious primary against a pro-Israel challenger. (Getty Images)
Both representatives are part of an expanding faction of Democrats critical of the longstanding U.S.-Israel relationship, a divide that became particularly evident following Hamas’ attack on October 7 last year.
In the aftermath of the attack, Bush referred to Israel’s subsequent actions, stating, “Israel’s collective punishment against Palestinians for Hamas’ actions is a war crime.”
However, Bush seems to have taken little from Bowman’s defeat, opting to further engage her progressive supporters with a virtual rally on the eve of Election Day alongside Bowman and prominent anti-Israel critic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., among others.
AOC EASILY WINS DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Democratic St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell challenged her for the nomination in this secure blue seat. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, file)
Earlier this year, Bush disclosed that she was undergoing investigations by the Justice Department, Federal Election Commission, and House Ethics Committee regarding her husband’s compensated role in her security detail.
Bush has alleged that various “right-wing organizations” were “spreading claims that I misused campaign funds for personal security services,” as stated in a January 30 announcement.
The Minnesota Democrat and her supporters aimed to portray Bell, her opponent, as more aligned with the right than the left, highlighting his past involvement with an anti-abortion Republican candidate.
DEMOCRAT CHALLENGER SLAMS BOWMAN’S ‘THEATER OF CONFLICT,’ SAYS PROFANITY-LACED RALLY THREATENS PARTY ‘UNITY’
Her race gained significant attention following the primary defeat of Bush’s fellow ‘Squad’ member Rep. Jamaal Bowman. (Haiyun Jiang/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Bell has campaigned under a progressive banner, yet their views on Israel have sharply diverged, with Bell labeling Bush’s statements regarding Israel as “wrong and offensive,” as reported by the Associated Press.
Bell is now positioned as the frontrunner for the House seat in November.
