WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Tuesday night Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush became the second member of the progressive “squad” to lose her Democratic primary.
St. Louis County prosecutor Welsey Bell defeated Bush by roughly six points. Bell campaigned as a Democrat committed to advancing Democrats’ agenda in Washington.
As a progressive, Bush voted against portions of President Biden’s policy agenda, arguing it did not do enough to help communities like hers.
During his victory speech, Wesley said the Missouri’s 1st Congressional District “is ready for better and more accountable representation in Washington, D.C.”
Bush delivered a fiery concession speech where she slammed outside special interests’ groups for funding Bell’s campaign.
AIPAC’s super PAC donated more than $8 million to Bell.
In her speech Bush, a former organizer, vowed to keep up the fight.
“AIPAC I’m coming to tear your kingdom down,” she told a cheering crowd of supporters.
Fellow squad member Rep Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) lost his primary race in a similar fashion back in June.
AIPAC donated a record breaking $14.5 million to his Democratic challenger.
In a tweet Wednesday, Bowman wrote “special interest groups are destroying our democracy.”
Democratic leadership is largely staying out of the public squabble. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) endorsed both Bush and Bowman.
Todd Belt, a political analyst at George Washington University, says both races are a “wash” since Democrats are more than likely to keep the seat in November.
He says Democratic leaders are keeping a low profile as the aim is to take back the House in November.
“It looks like they have a pretty good chance, they’re not looking to make any enemies,” says Belt.
