Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) threw his support behind former Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) on Tuesday as she mounts a campaign to reclaim the House seat she lost in last year's Democratic primary. In a post on X, Sanders framed the race as a battle against powerful outside groups, writing that Bush would “take on AIPAC and other billionaire-backed special interests.”
“She will help transform our economy and government into one that works for all, not just the powerful and well-connected,” Sanders added. “That’s why I’m proud to endorse Cori once again to represent Missouri’s 1st District.”
Bush, a former member of the progressive “Squad,” lost the 2024 primary to Rep. Wesley Bell after the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and allied groups poured millions into the race. Her comeback bid, announced last October, positions her as a progressive insurgent taking on the Democratic establishment.
In her own posts on X, Bush expressed gratitude for Sanders’s backing, calling it an honor. “Over the years, Bernie’s always supported our movement to deliver for the people of St. Louis,” she wrote. “After Aug. 4, I’ll return to Congress and we’ll continue our work to transform our country into one that works for all of us, not just the powerful and well-connected.”
The endorsement underscores the ongoing rift within the Democratic Party between its progressive and centrist wings, a dynamic that has shaped recent primaries. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have been reshaping Democratic primaries, challenging the center-right strategy championed by leaders like Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Bush’s campaign has been fueled by her outspoken criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and her calls to end U.S. support for what she describes as “Israeli military occupation and apartheid.” While she condemned the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, she also quickly criticized the ensuing Israeli strikes that killed Palestinian civilians. Her stance put her at odds with AIPAC, which backed Bell in the primary.
“I’m running again because St. Louis deserves leadership that doesn’t wait for permission, doesn’t answer to wealthy donors, and doesn’t hide when things get tough,” Bush said when launching her campaign.
The race in Missouri’s 1st District is shaping up to be a test of whether progressive candidates can overcome well-funded opposition from pro-Israel groups and other establishment forces. Sanders’s endorsement gives Bush a powerful ally as she seeks to return to Congress.
