Missouri Rep. Cori Bush lost her state’s Democratic primary election on Tuesday night, becoming the second member of the ultra-progressive “Squad” to lose their reelection bid after running afoul of the powerful Israel lobby. Bush, a longtime critic of the Israeli war in Gaza and a proponent of defunding the police, lost by a margin of more than 5% to St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell, who received millions of dollars in funding from the America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
When the Associated Press called the Missouri Democratic primary at 9 p.m., Bell led Bush by 51.2% to 45.6%. During his campaign, Bell a centrist, pro-Israel candidate, received almost $9 million from United Democracy Project, an AIPAC subsidiary. A separate group, Democratic Majority for Israel, chipped in $500,000, and billionaire LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman had previously inquired about backing Bush’s primary challengers.
Most of the AIPAC advertising against Bush did not mention Israel directly given that voters in the district do not list it as a primary issue, focusing instead on Bush’s radical agenda.
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“Bell’s win tonight…is further proof that being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics,” United Democracy Project said in a statement Tuesday night. “UDP will continue our efforts to support leaders working to strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance while countering detractors in either political party.”
AIPAC also touted Bush’s defeat, celebrating that 100% of Democrats backed by the group have won their primary races this year.
Pro-Israel Democrats win!
100% of AIPAC-backed Democrats have won their primary races so far this cycle, including @bell4mo & @LatimerforNY!
103 AIPAC-backed Dem winners, including:
☑️29 @USProgressives
☑️39 @CAPAC
☑️23 @TheBlackCaucus
☑️20 @HispanicCaucus
☑️85 @EqualityCaucus pic.twitter.com/e9TZgr3fkX— AIPAC 🇺🇸🇮🇱🎗️ (@AIPAC) August 7, 2024
The staggering sums spent to oust Bush from Congress made this the fourth most expensive primary race in US history. The most money ever spent on a primary came from AIPAC in June of this year when the group directed $14 million towards defeating New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman, the first Squad Member to be removed from office. Bowman, like Bush, aggressively opposes the war in Gaza and has called for a ceasefire.
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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