When it comes to money, U.S. Rep. Cori Bush’s campaign appears more skilled at spending it than raising it.
The latest campaign finance report from the Federal Election Commission, due on Oct. 15, shows that from July 1 through Sept. 30, the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Democrat raised about $126,000 — and spent about $129,000.
That $3,000 difference brought Bush’s bank balance down to less than $20,000 in the third quarter.
Along with the low amount of cash on hand, Bush’s campaign also has an outstanding debt of almost $130,000.
As to Bush’s cash-on-hand balance, her $19,506 is lower than any of Missouri’s other U.S. House members.Â
The other member of Congress for ºüÀêÊÓƵ County, U.S. Republican Ann Wagner of Town and Country, has a cash balance of $2.4 million. The other with a largely urban district, Emanuel Cleaver II of Kansas City, has $920,000.
People are also reading…
The only other Missouri member of Congress with an outstanding debt is Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, who represents northern Missouri.
FEC reports show Graves’ campaign has $5,500 in debt, but it also has $2 million cash on hand.
According to Bush’s filing, the debt includes $25,850 to a Washington, D.C. law firm; $24,755 to a Vermont campaign strategy company; $19,700 to a political database company in Pennsylvania; $18,000 and $17,825 to two prominent D.C. fundraising services; and $14,738 to a Las Vegas accounting firm. Â
When it comes to spending, Bush’s latest report shows that from July through September, she spent at least $20,000 on security services: $15,000 to Joseph Walter of ºüÀêÊÓƵ; and $5,000 to All-American Protective Consultants of ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
Since being elected in 2020, Bush has been criticized for the amount of money she spends on private security while also being one of Congress’ most vocal advocates to defund the police.
On the subject of security, Bush’s husband, Cortney Merritts, remains on the payroll — but his job description has changed from “security servicesâ€Â to “wage expenses.â€
From July through September, Merritts was paid $12,500 and reimbursed $350 for gas expenses.
Merritts worked for Bush’s campaign before the two were married in February. His continued employment is the subject of two complaints pending with the FEC, alleging that Merritts’ employment violates federal campaign laws.
After the complaints were filed, Bush’s campaign issued a statement echoing federal law, which does not outright prohibit the hiring of family members. The campaign said Merritts is being paid for “bona fide services ... and not for personal use or personal purposes.â€
Bush, who represents Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, was reelected to a second term in 2022, handily beating her primary and general election challengers.
At this time, no candidate — Democratic or Republican — has announced plans to run in 2024.
Editor’s note: Revised to correct information about U.S. Rep. Sam Graves.