The Democratic Party's internal conflict continues to escalate as a prominent figure from the "Squad" plots her return to Congress. Former Representative Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat, is running to reclaim her old seat in the state's 1st Congressional District, which she lost to incumbent Representative Wesley Bell in November 2024.
Bush's campaign focuses on criticizing Bell for his pro-Israel stance and accusing him of being too closely tied to Republicans. In her latest advertisement, she claims that Bell did not do enough to help St. Louis recover from a devastating tornado in May 2025 and instead "jetted off to Israel with AIPAC." Bush argues that Bell's actions demonstrate his allegiance to special interests rather than the people he represents.
Bell's campaign has responded to the criticism by pointing to his record of securing disaster relief for the affected area. In a recent debate on St. Louis Public Radio, Bell stated that he worked closely with his Republican colleagues and the delegation to secure over $200 million in FEMA disaster relief, and expressed his commitment to continuing his efforts.
The issue of U.S.-Israel relations has become a contentious topic within the Democratic Party, particularly since Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023. Bush, a progressive firebrand, has been a vocal critic of Israel's government and its operations in Gaza, while Bell has taken a more pragmatic approach. The upcoming primary elections will decide whether Bush or Bell will represent Missouri's 1st Congressional District in Congress.
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has been playing a significant role in the party's primaries, with candidates linked to the organization posing a challenge to establishment Democrats in various states. Bush is also a member of the DSA, and her campaign reflects the party's growing influence and internal conflict.
