Missouri Democrat Rep. Cori Bush has lost her bid for reelection after being defeated in a closely watched primary on Tuesday, becoming the second member of the progressive “Squad” to be ousted from office this cycle. St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell won the race with 54.9% of the vote compared to Bush’s 41.8%, according to Decision Desk HQ. The result marks a major setback for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which once hailed Bush as a symbol of grassroots activism after her rise from the Ferguson protests to Congress. Her defeat highlights the challenges facing left-leaning incumbents in districts where local concerns, national controversies, and well-funded opposition converge to reshape electoral outcomes.
Bush’s loss immediately sparked reactions across the political spectrum, particularly among conservatives. Pro-Trump comedian Terrance K. Williams mocked her defeat online, while Rep. Matt Gaetz used the opportunity to jab at her record of missing Judiciary Committee meetings. Others, including Students for Trump co-founder Ryan Fournier and actor Michael Rapaport, joined in the celebration, tying Bush’s downfall to a broader rejection of far-left politics by voters.
The warning signs for Bush had been visible for months. Polling indicated she was vulnerable heading into the primary, with opponents highlighting her controversial stances on policing, Israel, and campaign spending. Bush first gained national attention in 2020 when she unseated longtime incumbent William “Lacy” Clay Jr., but sustaining that momentum proved increasingly difficult as her positions drew scrutiny both locally and nationally.
Among the most damaging controversies was her outspoken support for pro-Palestinian demonstrators after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Critics accused her of minimizing the suffering of Jewish students and placing undue blame on Israel, a position that alienated many constituents and fueled attacks from political opponents. The backlash reinforced perceptions that Bush was more focused on ideological battles than representing her district.
Another scandal that weighed heavily on her campaign involved revelations that Bush’s campaign paid her husband for “security services” while she simultaneously called for defunding the police. With crime rates rising in her district, the optics of this decision fed accusations of hypocrisy and undermined her credibility, especially with voters who felt public safety was being neglected.
Bush, along with fellow Squad member Jamaal Bowman—who also lost his seat this year—has pointed to outside money as a key factor in her defeat. Both have blamed heavy financial opposition from pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, which poured resources into campaigns against them. Whether her loss is seen as a rejection of her progressive platform or a reflection of powerful external forces, Bush’s defeat marks a turning point in the fortunes of the Squad and raises questions about the movement’s future influence in Congress.
