Democratic Missouri Rep. Cori Bush, a member of the progressive group of lawmakers known as "The Squad," has lost her primary against prosecutor Wesley Bell, heavily funded by a pro-Israel group following her strident criticism of the country's war in Gaza, according to an AP projection.
Bell is set to become the representative of Missouri's 1st Congressional District in the next term, considering it has historically voted for the Democratic party. "I recognize that we can't get anything done without majorities, and so that means we need to work with our fellow Democrats up there, and we also when we can reach across the aisle and work with folks to get things done for this region and for this country," Bell told NBC News before Tuesday's primaries.
It was one of the most high-profile races in the country, as United Democracy Project, a super PAC tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent almost $9 million to support Bell in the race.
Bush had complained about the funding received by her contender, recently telling NBC News "I'm just trying to make sense of why so much money would be spent in our congressional race when our district has so many needs."
More than $18 million were spent in the race, making it the second-most expensive in the country. About half of it has come from AIPAC, the pro-Israel group supporting the country's interests in the U.S. Bush had rallied against funding for Israel in its war against Hamas following the October 7 attack that left some 1,200 dead and 250 taken hostage into Gaza. She has accused Israel of conducting an "ethnic cleansing campaign" in its retaliation.
Bell, on his end, has said that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, recognized as a terrorist group by the U.S., and that he would be supportive of the country if elected. He and Bush hold similar views on most other issues, including "lowering health care costs, making the community safer and enacting policies that aim to help the working class, as well as abortion rights."
However, Bell also focused on the fact that Bush is the target of several investigations by the Justice Department, Federal Election Commission and House Ethics Committee over alleged misuse of campaign funds for personal security.
AIPAC has successfully played a role in the unseating of another "Squad" member in a primary, when Rep. Jamaal Bowman, also a vocal Israel critic, lost an election in New York in late June against George Latimer.
Bush rejected leaving the political sphere should she be defeated. "One thing I don't do is go away," she said.
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