Pro-Israel Incumbent Wesley Bell Beats Cori Bush in Missouri Rematch

Bush sought a political comeback by attacking Bell’s support for Israel and his ties to AIPAC.

By Shula Rosen

Rep. Wesley Bell defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, securing a second consecutive victory over the former member of the progressive “Squad” in a race that again highlighted divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel.

Bell, a pro-Israel incumbent, defeated Bush after first unseating her in the district’s 2024 Democratic primary.

Bush sought a political comeback by attacking Bell’s support for Israel and his ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), while pro-Israel political action groups spent millions of dollars to defend Bell’s seat.

Bell, who has repeatedly affirmed support for the U.S.-Israel relationship, appeared headed for a larger margin of victory than his roughly six-point win over Bush in 2024.

Bush has been one of Israel’s most outspoken critics in Congress, accusing the country of genocide during its war against Hamas and opposing U.S. military aid to Israel.

Two years after Bush told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee that she would return to “tear your kingdom down,” voters in Missouri’s 1st District again rejected her challenge.

Following Bell’s victory Tuesday night, AIPAC reposted a POLITICO article about the organization’s role in the race, adding the message: “Congratulations, Wesley Bell!”

The contest drew support from prominent Democratic leaders aligned with the party’s establishment. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC both endorsed Bell during the campaign.

The race was closely watched as a test of the Democratic Party’s competing factions, with progressive activists backing Bush while mainstream Democrats and pro-Israel organizations rallied behind Bell.

The campaign centered in part on U.S.-Israel policy, with Bush making Bell’s pro-Israel positions a focal point of her challenge. Bell maintained support for the U.S.-Israel alliance throughout the race.

With Tuesday’s victory, Bell is widely expected to retain Missouri’s safely Democratic 1st Congressional District seat in the November general election.