Wesley Bell Triumphs Over Cori Bush in High-Stakes and Costly Primary Election

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell achieved a significant victory by defeating Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) in a highly contentious and expensive primary election. This race, noted for its high cost and intense divisions, saw Bell, a prominent local figure, upset Bush, a well-known member of the progressive “squad.”

Bell’s political career began as a public defender after graduating from the University of Missouri School of Law. He gained local recognition through his work on the Ferguson City Council, especially during the 2015 protests following the police killing of Michael Brown. His campaign highlighted his efforts to ease tensions between police and residents and his role in pushing for criminal justice reforms in Ferguson.

Rep. Cori Bush, a vocal activist since the 2015 protests, had risen to prominence and won her congressional seat by defeating a longtime incumbent in 2018. That same year, Bell was elected county prosecutor, marking another significant upset. Bush and Bell both championed progressive issues like criminal justice reform, but the primary race became particularly polarized over their differing stances on Israel.

Bush faced considerable criticism for her outspoken remarks on Israel’s actions in Gaza, which she described as an “ethnic cleansing campaign.” This criticism extended to her constituents and fellow congressional members, complicating her position. In contrast, Bell, while sharing similar policy goals, distanced himself from the controversy surrounding Bush’s views on Israel.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) played a major role in the primary, spending over $8.5 million to oppose Bush and support Bell. This investment contributed to making the primary one of the most expensive in Democratic history, only surpassed by another race involving a “squad” member. Despite speculation, Bell has denied any direct involvement or recruitment by AIPAC.