This article is noteworthy for the historical track record of Cori Bush’s challenger, Wesley Bell. It covers how Bell betrayed the BLM movement despite the widespread support he received from it.

Also noteworthy are these two paragraphs that explain how Bell has incredible funding from the genocide enabling Israeli-aligned AIPAC lobby.

But rather than build his campaign against Hawley, Bell dramatically shifted his priorities, pivoting to mount a challenge against a left-wing Missouri politician instead. Last June, Bell called Cori Bush to promise he wouldn’t run against her. Then, after the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7 and the outbreak of Israel’s assault on Gaza, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) “let it be publicly known that a challenger to Bush would have effectively bottomless fundraising support,” writes Ryan Grim. Bell subsequently dropped out of his race against Hawley and turned around to challenge Bush. This opened the floodgates for the Israel lobby, which has spent a staggering $7 million on Bell’s run to capture Bush’s seat.

As of July 2024, AIPAC’s massive donations only account for 62 percent of Bell’s contributions — in part because Missouri Republicans have lavished Bell’s coffers. The Huffington Post reported that Bell’s campaign filings included donations “from notable sources such as Steven Tilley, a GOP former Missouri House speaker who’s now a lobbyist,” and “Daniel Loeb, the billionaire founder of the hedge fund Third Point, who has donated millions to Republican causes.”

  • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    Is $7 million a lot in the context of a high-profile primary

    Yeah, it’s almost three times as much as Cori Bush has raised in total.

    For broader context, this is the 5th most expensive US congressional primary EVER. Not just of St Louis. Not just of Missouri. Of the COUNTRY.

    • nkat2112OP
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      5 months ago

      Thank you for this helpful information! It’s good to keep that in mind.