Congresswoman Cori Bush has landed a powerful endorsement in her quest for re-election in November 2024.
Bush, the first Black woman elected to Congress in Missouri, has been endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus PAC (CBCPAC) in her bid to remain Missouri’s First Congressional District representative.
“Congresswoman Cori Bush has stood as a champion for racial, social, economic, and environmental justice in Congress,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), chair of the Black Caucus PAC.
Bush is being challenged for the Democratic nomination by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell and former state Rep. Maria Chappelle Nadal. The Democratic Primary is August 6, 2024.
Meeks praised Bush for delivering more than $27 million in community project funds to the St. Louis region.
“[Congresswoman Bush] has stood as a strong advocate for the disbursement of American Rescue Act funds in [her] district.
Bush said in a release she “thrilled” to have the support of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC.
“Together, we will continue to deliver meaningful investments and real results for the people of St. Louis,” said Bush.
“As a frontline Ferguson activist, as a formerly unhoused single mother of two, as a nurse, and as a pastor, I know the struggles our community faces on a daily basis, and it is my lived experience that informs how I advocate, legislate, and lead in Congress.
“With right-wing extremism on the rise and billionaire mega-donors fueling their efforts to impose an anti-Black, anti-freedom, anti-abortion, anti-IVF, anti-DEI, and anti-democracy agenda all across the country, I am more committed than ever to the values I stand for and the movement of love for all people that my campaign is rooted in.”
In 2022, Bush received the CBC PAC endorsement and won 70% of the vote against challenger state Sen. Steve Roberts. The Democratic Primary in Missouri’s First Congressional District will be held on August 6, 2024.
An optimistic CBC
Earlier this month CBC members announced a “First Day Agenda” in anticipation of Democrats holding a majority of House of Representatives seats following the November election and Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries becoming Speaker of the House.
Among its top priorities will be issues impacting Black communities, including protecting voting rights, diversity, equity and inclusion, and reproductive freedoms.
“There are forces working to take away the very tools of economic opportunity and freedoms that we have fought so hard to advance,” said CBC Chair Horsford.
Horsford then paraphrased original CBC member retired Missouri Congressman William “Bill” Clay, saying “We are going to hold everyone accountable. We don’t have permanent friends or permanent enemies. We have permanent interests.”
At their annual retreat earlier this year, House Democrats told reporters that their motto for 2024 is “Finish the Job,” as they attempt to win back the House majority in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
To accomplish the mission, Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio said the CBC must do a better job of reaching voters in ways they understand.
“We have to do more of explaining legislation and ensuring that CBC-led efforts are translated into simple language versus congressional language,” she said.
Horsford said “We’re to blame for [some Black voters] not knowing that we lifted 50% of children out of poverty, doubled the number of loans to Black-owned businesses in the last three years from the SBA [Small Business Administration], that we are seeing record low unemployment, and that the CBC created legislation that gave way to the largest investment in HBCUs.”
