St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell defeated U.S. Rep. Cori Bush in the Democratic primary for the 1st District Congressional seat.
Election Results
Wesley Bell won the primary election with 51% of the vote against Cori Bush who secured 46%, alongside former state Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal with 3%.
Historical Context
The primary was significant as it pitted two prominent political figures from the Ferguson uprising against each other in a district that has seen shifting political landscapes.
Cori Bush's Background
Cori Bush, a progressive figure and member of 'The Squad', had previously defeated ten-term incumbent William Lacy Clay but faced backlash following her comments on the Hamas attack on Israel.
Wesley Bell's Rise
Wesley Bell gained attention in 2018 after his upset victory against a seven-term incumbent to become the first Black prosecutor in St. Louis County.
Key Issues in the Campaign
Bell's campaign capitalized on dissatisfaction with Bush's stance on various issues, exacerbated by her remarks regarding Israel and Palestine, which drew significant funding for ads against her.
