Rep. Wesley Bell secured a victory over former Rep. Cori Bush in Missouri's 1st District, signaling a challenge for progressive efforts to make AIPAC support a political liability.
Key facts
- •Rep. Wesley Bell defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in Missouri's 1st District primary.
- •The AIPAC-backed super PAC spent $2 million on the race, down from $9.3 million in 2024.
- •Bell was supported by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC.
- •Bush received endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Socialists of America.
- •The results suggest limits to Democratic primary voter anger regarding support for Israel.
Rep. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in the Missouri 1st District primary on Tuesday night. The victory comes after Bush, a member of "the Squad," faced criticism for her stance on the Israel-Hamas war, which she labeled a "genocide." Bell, who has affirmed support for the U.S.-Israel relationship, won by a margin that exceeded his six-point victory over Bush in 2024.
By the numbers
Campaign spending and support
The race saw a decrease in outside spending compared to the 2024 primary. An AIPAC-backed super PAC spent $2 million to support Bell, significantly less than the $9.3 million spent by the group two years ago, according to AdImpact data. Additionally, Bush did not receive the same level of airwave support from progressive groups that she had in the previous cycle. Bell received backing from establishment Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC. Conversely, Bush was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and the Democratic Socialists of America.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Politico.
