In a closely watched Democratic primary in St. Louis, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell emerged victorious over U.S. Rep. Cori Bush. This marks the second time this year that an incumbent has been ousted in a high-stakes contest that highlighted divisions over the conflict in Gaza.
Bell, who is heavily favored to win in the overwhelmingly Democratic district in November, expressed his commitment to serving the St. Louis region with integrity and dedication. Meanwhile, Bush, a member of the progressive congressional group known as the “Squad,” vowed to continue her work of supporting her community despite the loss.
Bell's campaign received significant support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which spent $8.5 million to defeat Bush. This move mirrored a similar strategy that proved successful in New York earlier this year.
Bush, known for her activism and criticism of Israel's actions, faced backlash for her comments, leading to her defeat in the primary. Both Bell and Bush rose to prominence in Ferguson, Missouri, following the unrest that followed Michael Brown's death in 2014.
Bell, a former municipal prosecutor and judge, won a seat on the Ferguson City Council before defeating the incumbent St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney in 2018. He reopened an examination into Brown's death but announced in 2020 that there wasn't enough evidence to charge the officer involved.
Bush, who became a protest leader after Brown's death, focused her campaign on her achievements for St. Louis, including securing funds for the district and advocating for important causes.
In another district in Missouri, Bob Onder, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, emerged victorious in the Republican primary. Onder, a physician and former state senator, will be favored to win in the heavily Republican district in November.
These primary results reflect the ongoing political dynamics and divisions within the Democratic Party, as candidates with differing views and approaches compete for support and votes.
