Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., is garnering support from her fellow progressive lawmakers in the House's left-wing 'Squad' as she faces a tough primary election battle this week. The virtual rally, scheduled for Monday evening on Zoom at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, will feature Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, and Summer Lee rallying alongside Bush.
Bush, a two-term progressive Democrat, has been a vocal critic of Israel and its actions in Gaza, accusing the Israeli government of perpetrating a genocide against Palestinians. Her stance has drawn opposition from pro-Israel groups, with Democratic Majority for Israel and the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) supporting her opponent, Wesley Bell, who is the prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County.
Bell, who has received endorsements from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial board, is positioning himself as a more centrist candidate compared to Bush's progressive policies. The primary race has intensified as Bush and her allies seek to portray Bell as a right-wing figure, highlighting his past volunteer work for anti-abortion conservative Mark J. Byrne.
Despite facing challenges within her own party, Bush has the backing of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and his top deputies as she heads into the primary elections. The support from her 'Squad' colleagues, particularly Tlaib, who has been a vocal critic of Israel and was censured for her remarks against the country, underscores the ideological divide within the Democratic Party.
The primary elections will be a crucial test for Bush's political future, as she contends with criticism over her anti-Israel comments and seeks to secure another term in Congress. The outcome of the primary race will not only impact the representation of Missouri's 1st Congressional District but also reflect broader debates within the Democratic Party on foreign policy and progressive values.
