In a surprising turn of events, incumbent Democratic Missouri House Representative Cori Bush was defeated in her primary by Wesley Bell, the chief prosecutor for St. Louis County. Bell secured 51% of the votes, while Bush received nearly 46%, according to NBC News. The primary took place in Missouri’s first district, with polls closing at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Bush, a progressive member of the “squad,” has faced criticism for her stance on Israel and her use of campaign funds for security services. Organizations like AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel have spent millions to support Bell’s campaign. Bush’s advocacy for the pro-Palestinian movement has also been a point of contention, with her endorsement of BDS and reluctance to label Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Bell’s Position on Israel
Bell has emphasized his support for Israel, calling it the strongest American ally in the Middle East. He has vowed to defend Israel’s right to protect itself from terrorist attacks and maintain a strong alliance with the United States.
In addition to Bush and Bell, a third candidate, Maria Chappelle-Nadal, secured around 3% of the votes in the primary.
Hannah Sarisohn contributed to this report.