Overview

• Bush announced Friday she will run for Missouri’s 1st District, releasing a video saying St. Louis needs leadership that does not answer to wealthy donors.
• Bell, who unseated Bush last year, responded on X that voters had already rendered their verdict and criticized her record and controversies.
• The 2024 primary featured major outside spending, including about $8.6 million from AIPAC’s United Democracy Project, $485,000 from Democratic Majority for Israel, and $1.4 million from crypto-aligned Fairshake.
• Coverage notes Bush’s criticism of Israel during the Gaza war as a defining flashpoint in the race, while her launch video blames outside money and negative attacks for her loss.
• Bell won the August 2024 primary by roughly 5 to 6 points in the safely Democratic district, making next year’s primary the likely decider for the seat.