In the Democratic primary for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, ABC News projects incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell will win over former Rep. Cori Bush, who Bell beat two years ago.
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Bell, who served as St. Louis County prosecuting attorney before coming to Congress to represent the district encompassing St. Louis, defeated Bush in a race flooded with outside spending from pro-Israel groups boosting him.
The United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with pro-Israel group American Israel Public Affairs Committee, spent millions opposing Bush in both the 2024 and 2026 primaries.
Bush fell short even as she aimed to capitalize on voter sentiment souring on Israel over its actions during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as well as a wave of success by progressives mounting anti-incumbents campaigns.
Bell notched the support of Democratic leaders such as Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and major groups such as the Congressional Black Caucus PAC.
In Missouri's newly redistricted 5th District, Republican state Sen. Rick Brattin will face incumbent Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver in November.Â
Cleaver, who was unopposed in his own primary, hopes to hold on to his seat after the legislature redrew the congressional district in 2025 to lean Republican, while national Republicans have called his seat a top target for flipping.Â
That move was one of the volleys in a nationwide mid-decade redistricting scramble last year, although voters in Missouri might have the chance to vote in November whether to keep the map in place or overturn it if a potential referendum makes the ballot.Â
Missouri's Secretary of State said on Tuesday the initiative is unconstitutional, but opponents of the map are challenging that in court.Â
