Wesley Bell has defeated former Representative Cori Bush in a Democratic primary rematch in Missouri, as projected by NBC News on August 4, 2026. Bell's campaign significantly outspent Bush, with a 27-to-1 ratio, according to AdImpact, an ad-tracking service. The United Democracy Project, a super PAC associated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), contributed $2 million to support Bell's campaign, primarily through negative advertisements targeting Bush.
During the campaign, Bell criticized Bush for focusing on U.S. aid to Israel, stating that such issues do not directly impact constituents in St. Louis. In response, Bush questioned why Bell accepted funding from outside groups and expressed concerns about the influence of money in politics.
Bush's campaign included two television ads that linked Bell to AIPAC and suggested he prioritized foreign aid over local issues. Despite the loss, Bush indicated that it would not deter the progressive movement, emphasizing the need for continued efforts regardless of the election outcome.
Bush also stated that she could not envision voting for Bell if he were to win the primary, highlighting the divisions within the party.