In describing Mayor Tishaura Jones as a “sister-in-service,” Congresswoman Cori Bush proudly accepted Jones’ endorsement of her campaign Tuesday.
“While in office, Mayor Jones, and I have partnered together to provide and distribute nearly half-a-billion dollars in investments through the American Rescue Plan,” Bush stated in a recent press release. These investments are paving the way for a more just and equitable St. Louis.”
Comments from both Bush and Jones reinforce how their partnership in Washington D.C. and St. Louis has brought real time results to the St. Louis region.
In her statement, Jones said she proudly endorsed Bush, who she defined as “a proven leader, partner, and coalition builder who is always putting the needs of St. Louis first.”
“Congresswoman Bush has delivered time and time again for the city of St. Louis and has a proven track record of delivering the necessary resources to our region.
She credits Bush for helping the region secure nearly $150 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds which she’s partly using to specifically revitalize North St. Louis.
“Of the over $41 million in community project funding she delivered to her district, over half, or $22.3 million went to the city of St. Louis. These funds supported St. Louis Public Schools and many of our partner organizations to continue our mission to make St. Louis safer, stronger and healthier.”
Jones and Bush easily ticked off dozens of successes they’ve achieved which included hundreds of millions for violence prevention programs, an updated 911 emergency system, community project funding, Lambert Airport expansion, funding for career advancement program in public schools, funds aimed at securing housing for the homeless, federal funding to improve Metro Link services and much more.
Bush said working with Jones “has been vital in getting the resources on the ground that are needed” in the district, adding “we continue to show St. Louis what it means to be unbought, unbossed, and unafraid to continue to lead and deliver for our communities.”
Bush is facing a huge challenge mostly from St. Louis County Prosecutor, Wesley Bell, who has received generous support from pro-Israel groups like AIPAC. Bush has been on the organization’s hit list after calling for a ceasefire in the wake of the terrorist attack against Israel. Funding from these groups have been credited for Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s loss in the recent New York primary race.
In a conversation with the American, Jones stressed that her endorsement is multi-faceted, not single-issue oriented.
“I will say it wasn’t an easy decision considering the current state of the world right now. There is a stark division between what’s going on between Israel and Palestine and its conflicts and nuances,” Jones stressed, adding: “However, I don’t think we should endorse people based on just one issue. For me, it’s based on my over ten-year friendship with the congresswoman and, most importantly, on what she delivers for this district and especially the city.”
Both Bush and Jones-the first Black Congresswoman from the state of Missouri and the first Black woman elected Mayor of the City of St. Louis-focused on their combined accomplishments for the 1st Congressional District and the City of St. Louis. Jones said Bush’s assistance has been crucial in helping her keep her campaign promise to bridge the racial wealth gap and “put St. Louis on the road to economic justice.”
She credits Bush for helping the region secure nearly $150 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds which she’s partly using to specifically revitalize North St. Louis.
Bush has been criticized by her opponents for not supporting President Biden’s 2021 infrastructure bill. They claim she’s caused a loss of federal revenues for the 1st district. Bush scoffed at the accusation.
“It’s so hypocritical,” she countered. “On the one hand, people say ‘you didn’t really bring it (federal funds) to the district because Joe Biden brought the money.’ Then on the other hand they say, ‘you didn’t vote for the infrastructure bill, so you hurt St. Louis.’ Well, pick one; either my vote counts, or it doesn’t.
“I have delivered more than $2 billion throughout my tenure in congress and the infrastructure bill is not included in that. So, any claim that I have not delivered investments to this district is a lie.”
Jones, who said she seriously discussed the matter with Bush, said she came to understand why she voted against the bi-partisan measure. Mostly because other Covid-related recovery bills that were expiring were stripped from the initial bill.
“Bush took that vote because she wanted to vote as a package because it included relief in extending the child tax credits in which we know brought poverty down for millions of families in our country and thousands of families in this district.”
Jones argued that, in the end, St. Louis was not harmed by Bush’s no-vote on the bill.
“We are still getting infrastructure money, mostly in the form of transportation dollars…so, no, we have not been negatively impacted by that vote.”
Jones said Bush delivered on federal infrastructure funds. As examples, she pointed to Bush’s delivery of tens of millions to the district after the devastating flood in 2022; the $25 million disaster recovery grant she secured and the “almost $90 million in infrastructure funding” slated for the city’s water department.
Bush received additional good news on Tuesday. Her re-election campaign was endorsed by other prestigious individuals and the political action committees (PACS). Some include the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Planned Parenthood, Abortion Action Missouri, Jewish Voices for Peace Action, League of Conservation Voters, National Women’s Political Caucus, Progressive Democrats of America, Communications Workers of America, National Nurses United, the American Federation of Government Employees and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.
In addition, Bush received endorsements from the President of the Board of Alderman, Megan Green, Alderman Shane Cohn, Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez, Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard, and Alderman Rasheen Aldridge.
Both the mayor and the congresswoman are ending their first terms in office. Jones simply believes Bush’s reelection is crucial in continuing the work they’ve started here in the St. Louis region. Considering the possible reelection of Donald Trump and the disastrous, divisive agenda he and his cronies represent, Jones insists the country needs another Cori Bush term.
“No one fights like Cori does,” Jones said, adding: “We must have someone in congress who’s going to fight and stand up. I don’t always agree with her methods, but she delivers results.”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.