{"id":2636418,"date":"2026-07-28T06:58:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T10:58:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cori-bush-dodges-debate-stage-against-wesley-bell\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T07:05:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T11:05:53","slug":"cori-bush-dodges-debate-stage-against-wesley-bell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cori-bush-dodges-debate-stage-against-wesley-bell\/","title":{"rendered":"Cori Bush dodges debate stage against Wesley Bell"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcori-bush-dodges-debate-stage-against-wesley-bell%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2636418&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>former Rep. Cori bush, endorsed by the Democratic socialists of America, is avoiding televised debates in her primary race against incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell, who unseated her in 2024. Bell has challenged Bush to debates prior to the missouri primary, but she has yet to accept, citing concerns about debate conditions and potential audience. The contest reflects a broader ideological clash within the Democratic Party, with Bush being a vocal critic of Israel and supported by socialist groups, while Bell is backed by pro-Israel organizations like AIPAC, which heavily invested in the race. Bush has made pointed remarks about dismantling pro-Israel influence, and her campaign has faced controversy, including a lawsuit from protesters at a town hall. The primary is expected to be highly competitive,highlighting divisions over party direction and policy stances.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cori-bush\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4414\">Cori Bush<\/a>, who is endorsed by the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-socialists-of-america\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"5861\">Democratic Socialists of America<\/a>, has avoided the debate stage in a contentious primary as she looks to unseat first-term Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO), who ousted her in 2024. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bell, 51, challenged the former \u201cSquad\u201d member to three televised debates back in April ahead of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/missouri\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1099\">Missouri<\/a>\u2019s Aug. 4 primary, but Bush, 50, has not yet accepted the offer. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4665346\/cori-bush-debate-stage-wesley-bell-primary-election-nears\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Cori Bush dodges debate stage as socialist eyes comeback<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4665412\/dccc-candidates-2026-red-to-blue-midterms\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DCCC adds five candidates to 2026 \u2018Red to Blue\u2019 midterm roster<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4664709\/meddling-michigan-pickup-opportunity-democrats-2026-elections\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Meddling in Michigan threatens pickup opportunity for Democrats<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think that\u2019s disappointing because generally \u2026 it doesn\u2019t benefit an incumbent,\u201d Bell told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cBut I just think that people deserve to hear the issues directly from us, and as I\u2019ve said before, I\u2019m willing to answer any and all of my opponent\u2019s questions, but she\u2019s going to have to answer mine, and she\u2019s clearly showing that she doesn\u2019t want to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to Bush\u2019s campaign for comment. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pair did make a joint appearance on a local radio show on July 24, during which Bell commented on Bush not taking up his televised debate challenge. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou know the reason that I\u2019ve been calling for an actual debate, and I appreciate the fact that she\u2019s finally done even this,\u201d Bell said. \u201cI think that we should do televised debates, but she won\u2019t respond to that.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bush cut in by saying her campaign has asked if the debates would have an audience, and that \u201cno one would be brutalized this time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s what we asked for, and you wouldn\u2019t respond,\u201d Bush said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bush\u2019s comments refer to a town hall Bell held last year that was disrupted by protesters pressing the now-congressman over his support of Israel. The event saw protesters and security for the event get into a physical altercation, according to St. Louis Public Radio.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Five attendees of that town hall have filed a lawsuit against Bell and members of his security team, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.mo.gov\/fv\/c\/Petition.PDF?courtCode=22&#038;di=17124842\">alleging that they were assaulted<\/a> during the town hall.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cProtesters engaged in behavior that security deemed to be a threat and repeatedly asked them to leave,\u201d Bell spokeswoman Jordan Blase said in a statement. \u201cThis is another desperate attempt by Cori Bush\u2019s failing campaign to distract voters in the last three weeks before the election. This lawsuit will be deemed frivolous, because that is exactly what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The primary between Bell, a former St. Louis County prosecutor, and Bush is shaping up to be a bitter fight over what direction the Democratic Party should take.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bush and her allies have repeatedly hit Bell for being supported by the United Democracy Project, an arm of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The socialist candidate\u2019s bid comes amid a surge of socialist candidates in Democratic primaries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The former House Democrat was ousted in part over her anti-Israel stance, an issue that has shifted significantly within the party over the past two years. But she also faced an ethics scandal over improper use of campaign funds, prompting a Justice Department investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2024, pro-Israel groups spent heavily in the race to support Bell\u2019s bid to oust the Squad-aligned Bush, who is a vocal critic of Israel. United Democracy Project funneled $9.3 million into the race.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bush, in her concession speech, had one message for the pro-Israel organization, saying, \u201cAIPAC, I\u2019m coming to tear your kingdom down.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a social media post endorsing Bush, the DSA wrote: \u201cIt\u2019s time to beat AIPAC once and for all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDSA is proud to endorse Cori Bush for Congress,\u201d the organization posted on July 7. \u201cCori is taking her seat back to fight for the world St Louisians deserve \u2014 one where our taxes pay for our communities, not war.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4635113\/socialist-wins-warning-wesley-bell-cori-bush-rematch\/\"><strong>SOCIALIST WINS A \u2018WARNING SIGN\u2019 FOR WESLEY BELL IN REMATCH AGAINST CORI BUSH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When asked about Bush\u2019s DSA endorsement, Bell told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that he tries to \u201cget away from the labels because at the end of the day, if we\u2019re all Democrats, that means we\u2019re all rowing in the same direction.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo I think that even with those folks, there\u2019s a lot more that we agree with than that we disagree with,\u201d Bell continued. \u201cAnd so I\u2019m gonna not try to get into this dichotomy where it\u2019s us against them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cori Bush skips debates in primary rematch with Wesley Bell<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2912,"featured_media":2636419,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-collage-0ey1kitum-1783025444235-e1783028498466.jpg?1783011091&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33724,32807,33193,5894,35125],"class_list":["post-2636418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-cori-bush","tag-democratic-primary","tag-election-debate","tag-politics","tag-wesley-bell"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-collage-0ey1kitum-1783025444235-e1783028498466.jpg?1783011091&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2912"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2636418"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2636423,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636418\/revisions\/2636423"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2636419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2636418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2636418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2636418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}