Cori Bush’s campaign shrugs off Democratic primary challenge

Rep. Cori Bush’s campaign is shrugging off a Democratic primary challenge from Wesley Bell, with her manager Devon Moody declaring in a statement that “everyone has a right to run for whichever office they see fit.”

“It is disheartening that Prosecuting Attorney Bell has decided to abandon his U.S. Senate campaign to become Missouri’s first Black Senator after less than five months, and has instead decided to target Missouri’s first Black Congresswoman,” Moody said.

Bush, a member of the progressive “squad,” is in her second term representing a St. Louis-area district.

Bell, the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney, had been running for Senate but announced Monday he would jump to the House race instead. Bell had been outraised in the Senate primary by Lucas Kunce, raking in more than $280,000 during his time in the race to Kunce’s nearly $4 million haul over the year.

“As I’ve campaigned around the state, I’ve heard one refrain from Democrats above all else: yes, we need you in Washington, but St. Louis needs you in the House of Representatives,” Bell said in a statement announcing his House bid.

Progressive lawmakers have fretted about potential primary challengers this cycle, especially those backed by the deep-pocketed American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Bush, who’d gotten to office by taking out a Democratic incumbent herself, had faced a primary challenge from the right in 2022, with Missouri state Sen. Steve Roberts knocking her record on Israel among other issues. She ultimately won by a hefty margin last year.

Bush’s campaign currently has $19,506.51 cash on hand, according to the most recent FEC data.