Congresswoman and “Squad” member Cori Bush lost big in her primary race on the evening of Tuesday, August 6. Polling from the eve of the election and well before was correct in showing that St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell, a marginally more moderate candidate who had the backing of pro-Israel groups, would blow her out of the water.
So, voters in the far-left 1st Congressional District of Missouri voted to unseat her in what appears to be a rebuke of the Squad’s farthest left stances, particularly on Israel. In that respect, it is similar to Rep. Jamal Bowman’s brutal loss in New York, a loss that saw the American Israeli political action committee pour money into his opponent’s race.
Victor Wesley Bell released a statement after his victory had been called. In the version of it posted to X (formerly Twitter), the statement began by saying, “Tonight, Wesley Bell defeated incumbent Rep. Cori Bush to win the Democratic primary for Congress for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District.”
The statement then quoted Bell as thanking all those who voted and volunteered for him, saying, “I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust the people of this district have placed in me. This victory belongs to every volunteer, every supporter, and every voter who believes in our vision for a better future.”
Continuing, he voted to do a better job serving the district and to do so honorably, saying, “I am committed to serving the St. Louis region in Congress with integrity, transparency, and dedication. Together, we will tackle the challenges ahead and build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Concluding, he told all those in the district, whether they voted for him or not, that he will work hard to earn their trust. He said, “To all St. Louisans, in the City and County – whether you voted for me or not – I look forward to earning your support and your trust and making you proud in the weeks, months and years ahead.”
Many conservatives on X took quickly to mocking Bush’s landslide loss. Pro-Trump comedian Terrance K. Williams, for example, posted, “A ‘BLACK JOB’ IS SOMETHING CORI BUSH DOES NOT HAVE. OH HAPPY DAY! OH HAPPY DAY.” He added, “She is the Second Squad member to lose her seat! I can’t wait until they are all gone. They are all full of hate [and] stupidity. I’m laughing so hard. Who’s laughing with me?”
Similarly, Florida GOP firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz, who serves on the House Judiciary Committee with Bush, sarcastically wrote: “I will miss Cori Bush missing every committee meeting.” Additionally, Ryan Fournier said, “The Squad’s Cori Bush has LOST her primary. Join me in saying GOOD RIDDANCE! Hamas might be hiring, Cori!”
Even leftists chimed in on X to express joy at her being voted out of office. For example, far-left Michael Rapaport, a vocal Israel supporter and Trump hater, wrote: “Tonight at the rally they said let’s bring back ‘JOY’ to politics and boom CORI BUSH is done with Politics…. I feel JOY all of a sudden.”
Watch Rep. Bush speak before the election about potentially losing to Bell here:
