Across the US, progressives are upending Democratic primary races. Will it happen in Missouri?

Missouri Democratic Primary Tests Incumbent Wesley Bell Against Former Representative Cori Bush

The pastor of a historically Black church on St. Louis’s north side, Rodrick Burton, has observed the congressional race in his district drawing national attention focused on events in Gaza rather than local conditions. “As a pastor who’s had eight members murdered, violence over there is terrible,” Burton said of the conflict in the Middle East. “We have to deal with the problems right in our metropolitan area,” he added. “While there’s kinship and stuff … you’re talking about blood overseas, blood on the TV. We got blood right here in our metropolitan area.”

In Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Missouri’s first congressional district, voters will choose between incumbent Wesley Bell and former representative Cori Bush. The district covers much of St. Louis and surrounding areas. Bell, elected in 2022, supports continued U.S. assistance to Israel. Bush, who held the seat from 2021 to 2023, has criticized Israeli actions in Gaza and described them as genocide. The contest occurs alongside a primary in Michigan and follows recent Democratic primaries in New York City and Denver where challengers defeated incumbents after emphasizing opposition to U.S. support for Israel.

After losing to Bell in 2022, Bush seeks to regain the seat. Federal Election Commission records show that a super PAC linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee has spent $1.1 million opposing Bush through the most recent reporting period. Bush’s campaign has raised $1.3 million. Bell’s campaign has raised $3.6 million, and he has outspent Bush by a ratio of approximately 12 to 1 on direct campaign activity within the district.

African Americans constitute roughly half the district’s population. Burton noted that some residents connect their experiences in the United States to events involving Palestinians, while others have encountered tensions with Palestinian-owned businesses in predominantly Black neighborhoods. He expressed hope that the winner will address local needs. “It’s caused a level of divisiveness that really we don’t need in our community, in the light of what the African American community is dealing with, with the Trump administration and the various policies,” Burton said.

Bush won the seat in 2020 by defeating longtime incumbent William Lacy Clay. She was part of an informal group of progressive lawmakers that included Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar. After the October 7, 2023 attacks, Bush was among the first members of Congress to oppose Israel’s military response in Gaza. Bell previously served as St. Louis County prosecutor and defeated the prior officeholder after pledging to review the 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson; he ultimately declined to file charges.

Both candidates have addressed local priorities including recovery from a deadly tornado that struck the area last year, efforts to reduce crime, and responses to federal policy changes under the current administration. Bell has cited Bush’s vote against the 2021 infrastructure legislation and a remark in which she referred to actions by President Biden and Vice President Harris as fascism. Bush has stated that the infrastructure bill lacked promised social spending provisions and that the fascism comment was presented without full context.

Bell has pointed to reports that Bush’s campaign paid her husband for security services and noted a prior Justice Department review of her office. Bush has denied wrongdoing. Protesters arrested at a town hall hosted by Bell last year have filed a lawsuit alleging assault by the congressman and security personnel; Bell has not commented directly on the litigation.

In an interview, Bell said he does not coordinate with outside groups and described Israel as one of several U.S. allies that include Ukraine, Taiwan, and countries in western Europe. He opposed a recent House amendment to restrict certain military aid to Israel, calling the measure “more of a show, as opposed to serious public policy.” “I’m not a fan of Netanyahu, but I think it’s important to stand with all of our allies,” Bell said. He added that conditions in St. Louis differ from those in New York or Denver and that outcomes in other districts do not necessarily apply locally.

Sean Fauss, chair of St. Louis City Democrats, said he disagrees with Bell on Israel policy but cited Bush’s vote on the infrastructure bill as a reason for his position. Russell Gunn, a former Democratic state lawmaker supporting neither candidate, described the outside spending as a potential liability for Bell but stated it is unlikely to determine the outcome.

Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi said a Bush victory would demonstrate the group’s ability to regain a seat after prior defeats. The organization is not directing funds to the current campaign. Bell’s campaign has emphasized its own fundraising totals and local endorsements.

On a recent afternoon, volunteers for Bush canvassed in Maplewood, a suburb recently added to the district following state redistricting. Canvasser Alec Martirez, a former University of Missouri student, cited opposition to U.S. policy in Gaza as a factor in his support. One resident who had watched a recent debate on St. Louis Public Radio said she had already voted for Bell, citing concerns about campaign spending practices. Another resident, Katie Davies, said she planned to support Bush and objected to the involvement of outside groups.

Bell has maintained a lead in available internal polling and fundraising totals. The primary will determine the Democratic nominee in a district that has consistently supported Democratic candidates in general elections.