Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and former Rep. Cori Bush are headed toward a high-profile rematch that is expected to underscore tensions inside the Democratic Party over Israel.
Bush, a former member of the “Squad” and a socialist, is seeking to reclaim Missouri’s St. Louis-based 1st Congressional District seat after losing it to Bell in a bitter 2024 primary.
The former House Democrat was ousted in part over her anti-Israel stance, an issue that has shifted significantly within the party over the past two years. In 2024, pro-Israel groups spent heavily in the race to support Bell’s bid to oust the Squad Democrat, who is a vocal critic of Israel. United Democracy Project, an arm of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, funneled $9.3 million into the race.
Bush, in her concession speech, had one message for the pro-Israel organization, saying, “AIPAC, I’m coming to tear your kingdom down.”
Bell, a former St. Louis County prosecutor, enjoys a larger cash-on-hand reserve, reinforcing his position as the early favorite. Bell is backed by House Democratic leadership, the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, and the United Auto Workers.
UDP also launched its first TV ad for the primary race on Thursday, seeking to define Bell as a fighter for the party and align him with progressive issues.
“As a public defender and the first black prosecutor in St. Louis, Wesley Bell fought to reform a broken system, defending the powerless,” the ad says. “In Congress, Wesley Bell is leading the fight to abolish ICE. Right now, U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell is actually taking on ICE, and he’s fighting to lower costs on housing, gas, and groceries, too. Fighting against Trump, fighting for St. Louis.”
The contest may not be as pricey as last cycle. The organization has so far reserved $330,000 in advertisements, according to AdImpact.
Justice Democrats, a progressive group backing Bush that has netted several wins this cycle, said in response to the ad reserve, “So it begins. AIPAC is already spending in #MO01 to boost one of the largest recipients of AIPAC money in American history: Wesley Bell.”
The post continued, “And he hasn’t even served a full-term in office, that’s how bought he is. All hands on deck to help @CoriBush win & defeat AIPAC next month.”
The wave of insurgent primary wins from New York City to Colorado that has elevated left-wing challengers openly critical of the party establishment and Israel is likely to play in Bush’s favor. Bush also has the endorsement of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Erin Covey of the Cook Political Report told the Washington Examiner the results “should certainly be a warning sign for Bell, and you know, I think his position on Israel has been a liability for him for a long time.”
Still, Covey noted it’s too early to tell if the wins by candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America will translate to momentum for Bush specifically, who, as a former House member, is a known quantity to voters.
“She’s coming in with some baggage too, so you know it’s hard to say if that ends up — her being a former member ends up being a net negative or a net positive,” Covey said.
During the 2024 cycle, Bush faced scrutiny over hiring her husband as her security detail and was also the subject of a Justice Department investigation for using campaign funds on security services.
When Bush launched her rematch bid against him last year, Bell posted on X, “Missouri voters already rendered their verdict when they voted her out of office last year and chose to move on.”
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The primary between Bell and Bush will take place on Aug. 4.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Bush’s and Bell’s campaigns for comment.