{"id":2640660,"date":"2026-08-04T22:14:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T02:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wesley-bell-fends-off-challenge-from-dsa-backed-cori-bush\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T22:15:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T02:15:26","slug":"wesley-bell-fends-off-challenge-from-dsa-backed-cori-bush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wesley-bell-fends-off-challenge-from-dsa-backed-cori-bush\/","title":{"rendered":"Wesley Bell fends off challenge from DSA-backed Cori Bush"},"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\">18<\/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%2Fwesley-bell-fends-off-challenge-from-dsa-backed-cori-bush%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=2640660&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>Cori Bush\u2019s bid for a political comeback in Missouri&#8217;s 1st congressional District was unsuccessful,as she lost to incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell in a close primary race with Bell securing 71% of the vote. Bush, backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, faced a more favorable political habitat due to shifting public opinions on Israel, but her campaign was hindered by her association with controversial positions on Israel, her support for labeling Gaza actions as genocide, and her previous stances. Additionally, her campaign was affected by financial controversies, including employing her husband as security and investigations into campaign spending. bush\u2019s defeat marks a setback for the socialist wing within the Democratic Party,which has seen recent successes elsewhere. The district remains a solid Democratic seat, and Bell\u2019s victory is seen as a win for establishment Democrats backed by party leadership and pro-Israel PACs.  <\/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 Missouri Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cori-bush\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4414\">Cori Bush\u2019s<\/a> comeback bid fell flat Tuesday night, as Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) fended off her primary challenge in a sharp blow to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/socialism\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"510\">socialist<\/a> movement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bush, backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, lost to Bell in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/missouri\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1099\">Missouri\u2019s<\/a> 1st Congressional District in a close race seen as a bellwether for shifting political winds within the party. The <em>Associated Press<\/em> called the race at 9:02 p.m. With 26% of ballots counted, Bell received 71% of the vote, while Bush earned 26%.<\/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\/4674887\/wesley-bell-fends-off-challenge-cori-bush\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Wesley Bell fends off challenge from DSA-backed Cori Bush<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4673417\/mike-rogers-michigan-senate-primary-2026\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mike Rogers advances to high-stakes Michigan Senate showdown<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4675217\/wes-moore-maryland-redistricting-effort-democrat-map\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Gov. Wes Moore hails Maryland effort paving way for Democrat-friendly map<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bell\u2019s victory marks a major win for establishment Democrats, as the incumbent is backed by Democratic leadership and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC.<\/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\">\u201cI am honored and grateful that the people of Missouri\u2019s First Congressional District have continued to put their trust in me to represent them in Congress,\u201d Bell said in a statement after the race call. \u201cTwo years ago, St. Louis voted for better and more accountable representation. We have kept that promise, whether it\u2019s bringing federal resources home to our neighborhoods, standing with working folks when they needed someone in their corner, or helping families cut through red tape. That work does not stop tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The results mark the second time Bush has lost to the former St. Louis County prosecutor, after having lost to him in 2024 in part over her anti-<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"219\">Israel<\/a> stance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bush, who served in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/house\/\" data-type=\"category\" data-id=\"1250\">House<\/a> from 2021 to 2025, was one of the first members of Congress to refer to Israel\u2019s actions in Gaza as a \u201cgenocide,\u201d and has been a vocal critic of the Jewish state. <\/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\">The Democratic Party has seen significant shifts regarding Israel since Bush\u2019s loss, with roughly half of Democrats believing Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, according to a recent <em>Associated Press<\/em>-NORC poll. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shift in public opinion meant Bush, a socialist, was facing a more favorable political environment this cycle, a factor she hoped would help fuel her comeback bid. Her loss marks a setback for the socialist wing of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"288\">Democratic Party<\/a>, which has scored a string of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >high-profile primary wins nationwide<\/a>, including in New York and Colorado. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bush had hoped to ride the wave of victories in her own primary bid, but was unable to topple Bell, who enjoyed the benefit of incumbency and received support from the United Democracy Project, an arm of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/aipac\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"2620\">American Israel Public Affairs Committee<\/a>.<\/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\">United Democracy Project, which helped oust Bush in 2024, spent at least $2.1 million in Missouri\u2019s 1st District in 2026 and was the largest outside spender in the race. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The former congresswoman\u2019s financial controversies also weighed down her comeback bid. That includes employing her husband as her security detail and a Justice Department investigation into her campaign\u2019s spending on security services.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the time, the Missouri Democrat said she was fully cooperating with the investigation and maintained she retained her husband as part of her security team because of his \u201cextensive experience\u201d in the area, and that he provided the services \u201cat or below a fair market rate.\u201d<\/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 has claimed she did not use any federal taxpayer money to pay her husband, and that the money came from her campaign funds. It is not illegal to pay family members with campaign money.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a separate matter, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway (R) launched an investigation into an organization affiliated with Bush last month over allegations that donations for tornado relief were diverted to her political operation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4671722\/cori-bush-personal-shadow-comeback-bid\/\">CORI BUSH\u2019S \u2018PERSONAL BAGGAGE\u2019 SHADOWS COMEBACK BID<\/a><\/strong><\/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 has said she cannot speak to the organization as a candidate, claiming it is a political action committee. Bush has not been charged with any wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Missouri\u2019s 1st Congressional District, located in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/st-louis\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"2572\">St. Louis<\/a>, is rated as a solid Democrat, meaning Bell is expected to serve another term in the House.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cori Bush\u2019s bid failed as Wesley Bell won Missouri primary<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2912,"featured_media":2640661,"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\/08\/image-collage-ozkes7g6d-1785875901033-e1785881602565.jpg?1785877832&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[74849,6571,37990,35125],"class_list":["post-2640660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-dsa","tag-elections","tag-local-politics","tag-wesley-bell"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-collage-ozkes7g6d-1785875901033-e1785881602565.jpg?1785877832&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640660","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=2640660"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640660\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2640664,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640660\/revisions\/2640664"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2640661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2640660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2640660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2640660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}