Progressive ‘Squad’ Member Cori Bush Beats Moderate Challenger In Democratic Primary

Topline

Progressive Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) has fended off a challenge from moderate state Sen. Steve Roberts in the Democratic primary for her St. Louis-area congressional district, making her all but certain to win a second term in the heavily Democratic district.

Key Facts

Key Background

Bush effectively overtopped a political dynasty to make it to Congress, narrowly winning the 2020 Democratic primary over former Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.), who beat Bush in a similarly close race in the 2018 primary. Clay and his father, Bill Clay, had represented the 1st District since 1969. Bush is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and after being sworn in to Congress immediately aligned herself with the “Squad,” a small informal group of Democratic representatives widely considered the most far-left members of the House. She has also embraced calls to “defund the police” and backs progressive policies like Medicare for All, the cancelation of student debt and a $15-per-hour national minimum wage. Roberts campaigned on being a “normal Democrat” whose priority is supporting President Joe Biden’s agenda.

Tangent

Bush’s office in the Longworth House Office Building changed locations at one point after she claimed fellow freshman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) “berated” her in a hallway. Greene accused Bush of lying about what happened.

Surprising Fact

Bush is the first member of the “Squad” to lose a race since the group formed after the 2018 election. OR No members of the “Squad” have lost a race since the group formed after the 2018 election. Other lawmakers widely associated with the group are Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.).

Further Reading

Marjorie Taylor Greene Accused Of Berating Democratic Congresswoman In Hallway (Forbes)

Rep. Cori Bush isn’t backing down on “defund the police” slogan (Axios)