Cori Bush Tells AIPAC to 'Be Afraid' After Primary Loss
- Cori Bush, a Representative from Missouri, expressed her concerns to AIPAC following her recent loss in the Democratic primary.
- During her concession speech, she warned the influential lobbying group to 'be afraid' of the changing political landscape.
- Bush's statement reflects growing tensions between progressive Democrats and established political organizations.
Democratic Representative Cori Bush of Missouri delivered a fiery concession speech this week after losing her primary election to Wesley Bell, a pro-Israel candidate backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). In her address, Bush criticized AIPAC's significant financial influence in the election, asserting that their actions have "radicalized" her and warning the organization to "be afraid." She declared her intent to dismantle their power, stating, "AIPAC, I'm coming to tear your kingdom down." Bush, a prominent figure in the Black Lives Matter movement, was defeated after pro-Israel groups invested millions to unseat her, particularly due to her vocal opposition to Israel's military actions in Gaza. In her speech, she expressed that her departure from the legislature would free her from constraints, allowing her to confront AIPAC more aggressively. "All they did was radicalize me, and now they should be afraid," she emphasized. The campaign of Wesley Bell received substantial support from AIPAC's super PAC, the United Democracy Project, which spent $8.5 million to ensure Bush's defeat. AIPAC had previously identified Bush as a vulnerable candidate following her criticisms of Israel's response to the Hamas attacks on October 7. This strategy mirrors their earlier success in New York, where they spent $15 million to defeat another progressive candidate, Rep. Jamaal Bowman. Bush's remarks signal a growing tension within the Democratic Party regarding the influence of pro-Israel groups and the future of progressive voices in Congress.