Cori Bush Loses Democratic Primary, Second ‘Squad’ Member Ousted in Huge 2024 Upset

On Tuesday, Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush, a prominent member of the progressive “Squad,” became the second member of the group to lose in a Democratic primary this year.

Bush, who gained national attention through her activism in the Black Lives Matter movement, was defeated by St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell in a race marked by significant financial support from pro-Israel groups.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) played a critical role in the race, with its super political action committee, United Democracy Project, spending $8.5 million to unseat Bush.

The organization targeted Cori Bush due to her vocal criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and her broader anti-Israel stance.

AIPAC’s efforts echo a similar strategy used earlier this year to defeat another Squad member, Jamaal Bowman of New York.

The Squad’s Stance on Israel and Accusations of Anti-Semitism

Cori Bush, along with other members of the Squad, has been outspoken in her criticism of Israel, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Squad, which includes Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), has often been at the center of controversy due to their views on Israel and accusations of anti-Semitism.

Ilhan Omar has faced significant backlash for comments perceived as anti-Semitic, particularly her 2019 remark suggesting that U.S. support for Israel was “all about the Benjamins,” a phrase many interpreted as invoking anti-Semitic tropes about Jewish influence.

Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress, has also been a staunch critic of Israel, leading some to accuse her of harboring anti-Semitic views.

Despite these criticisms, the Squad members argue that their positions are rooted in a desire for human rights and justice for Palestinians.

However, their rhetoric has sparked heated debates both within the Democratic Party and across the broader political landscape.

Reactions to Cori Bush’s Defeat

Cori Bush’s loss was met with mixed reactions. Pro-Israel advocates celebrated the outcome, with AIPAC expressing pride in their support for Wesley Bell.

“Being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics!” AIPAC declared after the race was called for Bell.

On the other hand, Cori Bush’s supporters decried the influence of money in politics and accused AIPAC of using smear tactics to secure her defeat.

James J. Zogby, president of the American Arab Institute, criticized the campaign against Bush, calling it a “smear” and expressing concern over the treatment of progressive voices in Congress.

Eman Abdelhadi, a sociology professor at the University of Chicago, accused AIPAC of employing racist tactics in their ads against Bush, though the super PAC has denied these allegations as “completely false and absurd.”

The Future of the Squad and Progressive Politics

Cori Bush’s defeat, following that of Jamaal Bowman, has raised questions about the future of the Squad and the broader progressive movement within the Democratic Party.

Some commentators, like Brianna Wu, a former congressional candidate, suggested that Cori Bush’s loss was due in part to her failure to engage with her district and her association with controversial policies like “defund the police.”

The influence of pro-Israel groups and the broader dynamics within the Democratic Party suggest that the challenges facing progressive lawmakers like Bush are far from over.

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