Pro-Israel groups spend millions to try to oust ‘Squad’ member Cori Bush
GuardianAug 16
Cori Bush Loses Democratic Primary
Above: Representative Cori Bush speaks during a press conference held by Just Majority on May 8, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. Image copyright: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images for Just Majority via Getty Images
The Facts
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell defeated second-term Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) in the Democratic primary for Missouri's 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, 51.2% to 45.6%.
Bush, a nurse who rose to prominence as an organizer in Black Lives Matter, is the second member of the progressive House Democratic "Squad" to lose a primary election this year, following the defeat of Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.)
The Spin
Progressive narrative
Cori Bush is the latest progressive Democrat to become victim of big money from outside donors, many of them Republicans and pro-Gaza genocide groups, further demonstrating the need for the Democratic Party to reform its electoral system. She may have lost her seat, but she will remain on the right side of history.
Democratic narrative
It's a matter of fact that the electoral process must be fixed, as groups spending tons of money in primaries do influence voters. However, that alone doesn't tell the whole story here. The defeat of Cori Bush may indicate that Democratic voters, unlike Republicans, are dissatisfied with extremist representatives and have decided to push them back.
Republican narrative
Cori Bush and her far-left allies are blaming her defeat on pro-Israel money, as if these groups decided to support Wesley Bell out of nowhere. The only reason to funnel millions of dollars into the campaign of a St. Louis County prosecuting attorney is that his opponent was an anti-Israel agitator that has proven to be a liability for the Democratic Party.