U.S. Representative Cori Bush, a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, has lost her Democratic primary election in Missouri. In a race marked by substantial financial backing from pro-Israel groups, Bush was defeated by St. Louis prosecutor Wesley Bell, who secured 51.2% of the votes compared to Bush’s 45.6%.
In her concession speech, which was shared on social media, Bush stated: “We will stand up for what is right, regardless of the cost. I just hope that he [Bell] actually takes the time to learn about our Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities.”
Bush’s defeat followed a significant effort by pro-Israel organizations such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its affiliated Super PAC, the United Democratic Project (UDP), which together invested around $8.5 million to unseat her. This election represents yet another successful attempt by powerful pro-Israel lobbies to remove lawmakers who criticize Israel’s war in Gaza, which has resulted in nearly 40,000 deaths, predominantly among women and children.
Recently, Bush introduced a resolution in Congress calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, describing Israel’s actions as an “ethnic cleansing campaign.” She also boycotted a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress last month, stating that her presence would be tantamount to celebrating a “war criminal” at the helm of a “genocide.”
Although the losses for both Bush and her colleague Jamal Bowman highlight the ability of pro-Israel groups to influence significant elections, they also reflect a growing sympathetic shift among Democratic voters regarding the situation of the Palestinians. A 2023 Gallup poll showed an 11-point shift away from Israel and toward sympathy for the Palestinian cause.
In her farewell address, Bush emphasized progressive values and expressed her continued support for “a free Palestine,” which elicited supportive chants from the audience: “Free, free Palestine.”
Having previously been active in the Black Lives Matter movement and having led protests following the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson in 2014, Bush remains a prominent voice in the political fight for Palestinian rights.