Rep. Cori bush, D-Mo. suffered a crushing defeat in her St. Louis District on Tuesday night. She is now the second progressive member of House legislators known as the “Squad” to lose the Democratic primary this year to a moderate opponent.

Bush, a two-term member of Congress, lost the Democratic primary for Missouri’s First District to St. Louis prosecuting lawyer Wesley Bell. Bell was backed in his campaign by a large pro-Israel organization. According to group ad impacts, the race was the second-most expensive House primary ever in U.S. History, behind only the earlier this year contest for Rep. Jamaal’s Bronx area seat.

Bell’s campaign aimed to portray Bush as being out of touch with the people she represents and emphasized the numerous investigations into her finances. Bush’s criticisms of the Israeli government were the most important factor in the campaign.

Bush, a registered nurse and activist who is also a member of Congress, was the first to call for a truce between Israel and Hamas nine days after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. She has been a staunch critic of Israel since then and accused Israeli officials committing genocide.

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The United Democracy Project (a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee) poured over $8 million into Bell’s campaign in order to help him replace Bush as the leader of the Republican Party. Justice Democrats, a PAC which has criticized U.S. Aid to Israel, spent more than $2,000 million supporting Bush.

AIPAC’s involvement in the St. Louis Primary is not the first time it has been involved in a race since 2024. The group has backed a number of candidates who are challenging some of Democratic lawmakers who have been vocal in criticizing Israel for its handling of the Gaza war.

Bowman, Bush Squad’s other member, lost in July the Democratic primary of his district to an alternative candidate, whose campaign received outside funding. The United Democracy Project invested more than $7million in this race.

Bowman told Bush during a Monday night fundraising call that he understood exactly what she went through and called her a “powerful Truth Teller.”

This year, several other members of the Squad (the group of progressive legislators who rose to prominence under former President Donald Trump) have been able to overcome similar challenges. Rep. Summer Lee (D-Penn) is one of them. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich) and Rep. Summer Lee, D. Penn.

Other members of the group will still face a tough race this year. Rep. Ilhan omar, D-Minn. faces a difficult primary challenge next week from Don Samuels, a former Minneapolis City Council Member.