Rep. Cori Bush secures key endorsements ahead of competitive Missouri primary
Representative Cori Bush, D-Missouri, a two-term lawmaker and member of a young, progressive group known as “the Squad,” has secured endorsements from several members of the House Democratic leadership, her campaign announced Tuesday.
Among the high-profile lawmakers who endorsed Bush: Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California.
“As a Member of the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, Rep. Cori Bush has championed constitutional principles like equal protection under the law, defended democracy, and sought to expose far-right extremism,” Jeffries, Clark and Aguilar said in a joint statement. “We stand together to endorse Cori Bush for re-election as we collectively work hard to make life better for everyday Americans and battle the corrosive extreme MAGA Republican agenda,” the lawmakers added.
The announcement comes a week after fellow Squad member New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman lost the Democratic primary and days after a new poll showed Bush slipping behind her primary opponent, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell.
One of the most outspoken critics of Israel in the House, Bush is facing several pro-Israel opponents as she seeks her third term. Her district, which covers both the city and county of St. Louis, is solidly Democratic.
Bell, Bush’s primary challenger, has managed to outraise her, amassing $1.7 million according to the most recent filing, compared to Bush’s $1.5 million.
Bush is currently under an ethics investigation by the Department of Justice for allegedly using campaign funds to hire her now-husband as part of her security team. House ethics rules prohibit using campaign funds to pay family members for services that exceed market value.
A prior investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics in 2023 found no evidence of wrongdoing and unanimously voted to dismiss the case, as reported by NPR.
Missouri’s primary election will be held on Aug. 6.
Maya Homan is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on Georgia politics. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, as @MayaHoman.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Congresswoman Cori Bush secures endorsements from Democratic leaders
