Former Democrat Kori Bush announced on Friday her intention to make a political comeback in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District.
In a video shared on X, Bush expressed her reasons for seeking to reclaim her old seat, emphasizing that St. Louis “deserves leadership” that acts without “waiting for permission.” She highlighted the need for “fighters” to “cut costs, protect our communities, and make life fair.”
“I began my journey in Congress to effect change for everyday people,” Bush stated in her announcement video. “I’m running again because St. Louis stands resilient—it doesn’t defer to wealthy donors and warrants leadership that confronts challenges head-on.”
Bush previously served in the Missouri First Assembly District from 2021 to 2025 and faced opposition from Democratic Rep. Wesley Bell in the 2024 primary, during which Bell received support from some pro-Israel groups.
In a response on X, Bell acknowledged Bush’s candidacy and remarked on the democratic process, but also pointed out that Missouri voters had already expressed their preference by voting her out last year.
Bush has been affiliated with the left-leaning “squad” in the House of Representatives, alongside notable members such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar. In early 2024, the Department of Justice initiated an investigation into the management of Bush’s campaign funds.
In 2023, Bush introduced a resolution calling for $14 trillion in compensation from the federal government. Additionally, she previously advocated for reallocating police funding and expressed a desire to “refund” the Pentagon in 2020.
She has also been a vocal critic of the Israeli government, which led to tensions with some fellow Democrats. Criticism arose after her references to Israel as an “apartheid state” in late 2023.
