Former Missouri Rep. Cori Bush announced on Friday that she is seeking to reclaim her former seat after losing a Democratic primary in the previous election cycle. “St. Louis deserves a leader who is built different. That’s why I’m running to represent Missouri’s 1st District in Congress,” Bush stated. She emphasized her commitment to lowering costs, protecting communities, and promoting fairness.
Bush, a former member of the Squad, was unseated in a contentious Democratic primary by Rep. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), whose campaign received significant funding from pro-Israel groups, including $8 million from AIPAC. She joined other progressive Democrats who lost primaries to candidates backed by AIPAC last summer. Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) also faced defeat by Democrat George Latimer.
During her time in Congress, Bush organized a sit-in at the Capitol to extend a pandemic-era eviction moratorium and criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling it an “apart apartheid state.” Bell responded to her announcement, stating, “Missouri voters already rendered their verdict when they voted her out of office last year and chose to move on.” He accused Bush of prioritizing a national agenda over local needs.
Bush faced scrutiny for voting against the child tax credit, opposing an infrastructure law, and facing a federal investigation into allegations of misusing taxpayer funds. She previously vowed to “tear AIPAC’s kingdom down.” Her congressional bid follows Trump’s 2024 election victory and ongoing redistricting battles that favor Republicans.