According to a recent poll, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell is a formidable opponent for Rep. Cori Bush. The results show that beating him in the Democratic primary race for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District won’t be easy.
The Mellman Group conducted the poll between June 18 and June 22. Its results revealed that Bell overcame a double-digit deficit from January. He is now in the lead with 43% to Bush’s 42%. The remaining 15% of survey respondents were split between indecision and supporting other candidates.
A majority (11%) remained undecided, while 4% vouched for other candidates. Bell’s supporters come from multiple groups. The poll revealed that Bell enjoys the support of whites, men and women, and people above and below 50.
He is also beating Bush in job performance and favorability ratings. While 61% of survey respondents gave Bell a positive rating on his performance, only 49% did the same for Bush. 60% of respondents were also favorable towards Bush, and 64% were against Bell.
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The poll was conducted among 400 voters in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. Its margin of error is plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. The recent poll result has caught many eyes, and speculations have started about what it means for Bush.
She is a member of “The Squad,” which comprises progressive congressional Democrats. Rep. Jamaal Bowman is also a member of that squad. However, he recently lost the Democratic primary for New York’s 16th Congressional District to opponent George Latimer.
It made him the first ousted member of the “Squad,” and now people wonder if Bush will become the second. The poll spells a tight race ahead, but Bush remains undaunted. Earlier this month, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democratic leaders endorsed her.
In a joint statement, Jeffries, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, and Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar praised Bush for standing up for the people of St. Louis in the fight for reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, and affordable housing.
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They expressed their support for her, endorsing her re-election as they work to make lives better and “battle the corrosive extreme MAGA Republican agenda.” Bush has expressed thanks to the leaders for the endorsement. In her statement, she said the race was as good as won and vowed to keep delivering for the people and St. Louis.
The Democratic leadership’s statement gave the tenacious Bush a boost in the Missouri primary next month, but will it be enough to put her ahead of Bell? Nobody knows. What is certain is that Bush won’t win easily, as Bell is shaping up to be quite formidable.
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He has the support of groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which, through the super PAC United Democracy Project, is pumping millions into the primary elections. They hope to get rid of lawmakers who have been critical of Israel and have reportedly spent or reserved $2.6 million to promote Bell and oppose Bush.
Bush is also being dragged by personal controversies, including a federal investigation into her campaign spending on security services. Her now-husband used to work security for her and was paid by her campaign. However, she has denied any wrongdoing and is cooperating with the investigation.
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