Missouri Democrat Rep. Cori Bush faces a tough primary battle against St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, with financial support from pro-Israel groups boosting Bell's campaign.

Members of the progressive "Squad" held a Zoom call Monday to rally support for Bush and express concerns over the influence of pro-Israel organizations -- that have blamed the lawmakers for anti-Semitic attitudes -- in the election.

This effort, driven by prominent "Squad" members, sought to counteract the significant financial backing Bell has received from pro-Israel groups. Bush's primary challenger, Bell, currently shows promising polling numbers, creating a competitive environment just ahead of the primary election.

Pro-Israel Funding and Election Influence

The Zoom event, themed “Get Out the Vote: Rally with Cori Bush!”, drew participation from various Squad members, including Reps. Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Summer Lee.

During the call, Jamaal Bowman condemned the financial expenditures by pro-Israel organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), emphasizing their influence in the race. AIPAC's PAC, United Democracy Front, has already spent $7 million to unseat Bush.

By Monday, the ad expenditures in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District had nearly touched $17 million. Bowman, who lost his primary in June after AIPAC-supported candidate George Latimer received substantial funding, shared his experience on the call. He stated, “Congress don’t even deserve you, quite frankly,” and highlighted the essential role Cori Bush plays within Congress.

Summer Lee's Criticism and Support

Rep. Summer Lee criticized the alleged darkening of Bush’s image on an allegedly altered mail ad, which its sender, the United Democracy Front, denied. Lee referenced the extensive campaign advertisements and mailers distorting their images and emphasized the importance of maintaining morale amidst such heightened campaign tactics. She remarked, “We know what they want to do is they want to crush our morale... the spirit is so much more and so much bigger than what they can afford to spend money on.”

Lee stressed the importance of remaining undeterred in the face of significant financial opposition, believing that the community spirit would prevail against these influences.

Rashida Tlaib's Observations of Bell's Campaign

Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan also joined the call, sharing her observations on Bell’s campaign strategy. She noted the absence of a significant grassroots effort, suggesting a heavy dependence on ads funded by wealthy donors.

Tlaib underscored Bush's ongoing commitment and legitimacy in the House, remarking that her presence in Congress was well earned rather than handed to her. She said, “Her opponent don’t have no field game,” indicating a lack of on-the-ground mobilization in Bell’s campaign.

Recent Historical Context and Current Polling

During the 2022 midterm elections, Cori Bush successfully outspent and won against her centrist opponent by a notable margin. However, the current race presents a significant challenge with Bell having outraised Bush by a 2-to-1 ratio. As it stands, Bell is leading Bush by 6 points, according to polling data from the Mellman Group.

Bush's supporters are concerned about the potential influence of pro-Israel organizations, reminiscent of Bowman’s recent primary defeat affected similarly by significant funding. This context has heightened the urgency and emotional appeal of the Squad’s rally to support Bush.

Looking Ahead to the Primary

The primary election is set for Tuesday, with polls closing at 8 p.m. Both Bush and Bell's campaigns are vigorously making their final appeals to voters.

The outcome of this primary will provide insights into the growing influence of external financial contributions in local races and the ongoing debate over pro-Israel support within the Democratic Party.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as Rep. Cori Bush faces a crucial primary election, significant support from progressive allies and concerns over pro-Israel financial influence mark the landscape. The $17 million ad expenditures demonstrate the high stakes involved.

Garnering support through the “Get Out the Vote: Rally with Cori Bush!” in response to Wesley Bell’s strong polling numbers and substantial campaign funding, the Squad emphasized the vital role Bush plays within Congress.

As voters head to the polls, the critical influence of campaign funding and grassroots efforts will become evident.

The primary results will reflect broader narratives within the Democratic Party and showcase the continued impact of external financial contributions on local electoral battles.