Former U.S. Representative Cori Bush is attempting a political comeback on Tuesday in a Missouri Democratic primary, facing a rematch against Wesley Bell. The contest in a heavily Democratic St. Louis district two years after Bell ousted Bush, a member of the progressive "Squad," is seen as a test of evolving views within the Democratic Party, particularly concerning American-Israeli relations.
The race between Bush and Bell highlights shifts within the Democratic Party over the past two years. Bush, who criticized Israel's response in Gaza to the 2023 Hamas attack, was supported by millions in spending from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in her 2024 defeat. Bell is again receiving support from AIPAC. Recent polling indicates a change in public opinion among Democrats regarding U.S. support for Israel; a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 58% of Democrats now believe the U.S. is "too supportive" of Israel, an increase from 45% in January 2024.
This primary also may gauge the growing influence of democratic socialists, with supporters traveling from across the country to assist Bush's campaign.
Both Bush and Bell developed their leadership skills in Ferguson, Missouri, during the racial unrest following the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown. Bell was elected to the Ferguson City Council in 2015 and later defeated a seven-term St. Louis County prosecutor in the 2018 Democratic primary. Bush, a former protest leader, unseated longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay in the 2020 Democratic primary and served two terms before Bell's victory.
Missouri's primary also includes other consequential races. Republicans are selecting a candidate in western Missouri to challenge Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver in a redrawn district. The district, previously centered in Kansas City, has been expanded eastward into rural central Missouri, giving it a Republican lean. Cleaver is unopposed for the Democratic nomination, while a six-person Republican primary features state Sen. Rick Brattin, who has the backing of prominent Missouri Republicans, and Navy officer Taylor Burks.
In northern Missouri, Republicans are choosing a potential successor to retiring Rep. Sam Graves. Graves, chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, endorsed conservative talk radio host Chris Stigall. The Republican field in the 6th District includes Kansas City Council member Nathan Willett.
Additionally, Missouri voters are deciding on two ballot measures. One, backed by the Republican-led Legislature, would require citizen-initiated constitutional amendments to pass in each of Missouri's eight congressional districts, rather than by a simple statewide majority. This measure follows voter approval of several citizen initiatives, including those enshrining abortion rights, legalizing recreational marijuana, permitting sports betting, and expanding Medicaid. The proposed requirement would significantly raise the threshold for such initiatives to become law, while amendments proposed by the Legislature would still require only a statewide majority.
The second ballot measure would direct lawmakers to repeal the state's individual income tax and allow for an expansion of the state sales tax to cover "any goods and services" within five years. This marks the first time since the modern income tax began over a century ago that a U.S. state legislature has asked voters to eliminate the tax.