Rep. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in his primary on Tuesday, thwarting an attempt by left-wing groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America, to avenge Bush's 2024 loss. Why it matters: It's a win for the Democratic establishment in an election cycle where triumphs against left-wing insurgents have been few and far between. - Bell's win was propelled in part by United Democracy Project, the super PAC arm of AIPAC, which spent more than $3 million to thwart Bush's comeback , according to Federal Election Commission filings. - Bell was also endorsed by House Democratic leadership and the Congressional Black Caucus, while Bush had the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and left-wing groups such as DSA and…
Rep. Wesley Bell and former Rep. Cori Bush square off Tuesday in a Missouri congressional rematch that has become a proxy fight over Israel, AIPAC money, and the Democratic Party's ideological future. The Aug. 4 primary in Missouri's 1st Congressional District, a deep blue seat covering St. Louis and its northern suburbs, pits two Black […] The post Wesley Bell and Cori Bush face off again in Missouri primary defined by Democratic infighting appeared first on American Almanac .
Rep. Wesley Bell and former Rep. Cori Bush square off Tuesday in a Missouri congressional rematch that has become a proxy fight over Israel, AIPAC money, and the Democratic Party's ideological future. The Aug. 4 primary in Missouri's 1st Congressional District, a deep blue seat covering St. Louis and its northern suburbs, pits two Black Democrats who both rose to prominence during the Ferguson protests against each other for the second time in two years. Bell, 51, beat Bush, 50, by roughly six points in 2024. Limited polling in the current race shows a statistical tie. Both candidates carry baggage into the rematch. Bush faces a Department of Justice investigation into alleged use of campaign funds to pay her husband for security work, and…Open
AIPAC hoped they had ended former Rep. Cori Bush 's political career for good when they helped oust her two years ago. Now they're spending big to stop her attempted comeback. Why it matters: The left has high hopes that Bush can prevail in her rematch against Rep. Wesley Bell this cycle by riding the wave of anti-establishment energy coursing through the Democratic primary electorate. - "Since they bought this seat last cycle, AIPAC has become a kiss of death to the politicians they support," said Usamah Andrabi, a spokesperson for the left-wing group Justice Democrats, which is supporting Bush. - Bush, he told Axios, is "the model for so many candidates this cycle of exactly the type of fighter against the corporate establishment that…
Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) lost his primary Tuesday to democratic socialist challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier, the Associated Press projects. Why it matters: It's a major blow to the Democratic Party establishment and underscores the liberal grassroots' growing frustration with party leaders. - The race attracted national media attention and millions in outside spending in favor of both candidates. By the numbers: BOLD America, which received cash from both the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' super PAC and AIPAC's United Democracy Project, was the biggest spender in the race, putting $2.9 million into defending Espaillat, according to Federal Election Commission filings. - CHC's BOLD PAC spent an…
A pair of largely overlooked U.S. House races in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. are racing up the leaderboard of the most expensive congressional primaries in U.S. history. Why it matters: The massive volume of cash pervading these elections has some candidates raising the possibility that there is such a thing as too much spending for your favored candidate. - Voters "see the frequency of the ads, and now they're asking questions," said Wala Blegay, a Prince George's County Council member running in Maryland's 5th district. - Said former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, another candidate in that race: "It's tough to square, like, why is someone donating this much money?" Driving the news: Outside groups — most notably the…
AI companies, the cryptocurrency industry and pro-Israel groups are spending like never before to sink their least favorite members of Congress and congressional candidates. Why it matters: The volume cannot be ignored. It's the kind of spending that can kill careers and stop political movements in their tracks. - Pro-Israel groups spent nearly $8 million to oust GOP Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky's 4th District, helping to fuel the most expensive House primary in American history. - Crypto-aligned Protect Progress was by far the largest spender in Texas' 18th District, pouring nearly $5 million into unseating longtime Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) in favor of freshman Rep. Christian Menefee (D-Texas). By the numbers: Eight of the 12 top…
The pro-Israel group AIPAC notched some much-needed victories on Tuesday night in Illinois, with two Democratic House candidates it backed winning their races. Why it matters: Long a big spender in Democratic politics, AIPAC's reputation within the party's grassroots has never been worse. And yet, with some delicate maneuvering, it proved it can still use its massive campaign war-chest to devastating effect. - The group largely disguised the millions it spent across four Illinois House races, funneling money through PACs with anodyne names like Elect Chicago Women and Chicago Progressive Partnership. - The latter group targeted pro-Palestinian progressives by going after their leftist bona fides — essentially accusing them of being…
Groups linked to AIPAC are employing an eyebrow-raising tactic to sink pro-Palestinian progressives in Democratic congressional primaries: Going after their leftist bona fides. Why it matters: It is a telling indication of what the ruthlessly pragmatic pro-Israel organization sees as a winning message with Democratic voters who have grown increasingly hostile towards their brand. - Rather than running ads through its go-to Democratic political arm, United Democracy Project, AIPAC appears to have employed a web of vaguely named groups targeting specific districts this cycle. - Spokespeople for AIPAC did not respond to requests for comment on this story. Driving the news: Chicago Progressive Partnership — which shares vendors, donors…