Cori Bush Announces Rematch Against Rep. Wesley Bell

Former Rep. Cori Bush announced she is running to reclaim Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, setting up a rematch with Rep. Wesley Bell, who unseated her in the August 2024 Democratic primary. Bell defeated Bush by roughly 5–6 points (about 6,800 votes) and went on to win the general election in the deep‑blue district; he is a former St. Louis County prosecutor who emphasizes criminal‑justice reform. Pro‑Israel groups, including AIPAC’s United Democracy Project, spent millions supporting Bell in 2024, and outside spending and policy divisions over Israel are expected to make the rematch bruising. Bush — a nurse, pastor and onetime member of the progressive “Squad” who rose to prominence through Ferguson activism — says she’s running to fight for working‑class St. Louis and push back against wealthy donors and outside influence. She has faced scrutiny over campaign spending on private security and missed votes, while Bell’s campaign has argued voters already made their choice; the 2026 Democratic primary is scheduled for Aug. 4 with formal filing windows next spring.