Cori Bush Challenges Wesley Bell in Aug. 4 Missouri Primary Over Israel and $1.6 Billion Tornado Response
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 31
Cori Bush Challenges Wesley Bell in Aug. 4 Missouri Primary Over Israel and $1.6 Billion Tornado Response
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 31
Summary
Former Rep. Cori Bush is trying to win back Missouri’s 1st District on Tuesday, framing her rematch with Rep. Wesley Bell around his pro-Israel stance and alleged AIPAC ties.
In a new ad, Bush says Bell left for an Israel trip backed by “Trump’s donors” less than 90 days after a May 2025 tornado that caused $1.6 billion in damage and killed several people.
Bell rejects that line of attack, pointing to debate remarks that he worked across Missouri’s delegation after the storm and helped secure more than $200 million in FEMA disaster relief, with more still sought.
The race extends a Democratic split sharpened since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, with Bush a prominent Israel critic who says outside pro-Israel spending helped drive her narrow 2024 loss to Bell.
Bush’s comeback bid also fits a broader pattern of Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates pressuring establishment Democrats in House, Senate and gubernatorial primaries nationwide.