Cori Bush’s primary loss further hurts Black women’s chances for representation in Congress

Former Representative Cori Bush will not be returning to Congress after losing her primary rematch to Wesley Bell in Missouri's first district — a rematch of their contested 2024 race. Bush became the first Black woman to represent Missouri in the U.S. House when elected in 2020, but fell short to Bell, whose campaign attacked her vote against the Biden-backed infrastructure bill. Per The 19th, Bell characterized Bush as ineffective and unwilling to compromise. Her defeat adds to concerns about Black women's representation in Congress: this election cycle, only one hundred twelve Black women are running for House seats, down from one hundred thirty-four in twenty twenty-two.

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