When it comes to fighting for finances, U.S. Rep. Cori Bush still trails ºüÀêÊÓƵ County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, her main challenger in the Aug. 6 Democratic primary for the 1st Congressional District seat.Â
Recent campaign reports filed with the Federal Election Commission for the year’s second quarter, April through June, show that Bell raised almost $2.4 million — while Bush brought in about $1.1 million.
The reports also show that during the quarter, both candidates spent slightly more than $1 million.
Bell also maintains a noteworthy edge in the amount of cash on hand: His campaign still has slightly more than $2.4 million in the bank, while Bush’s coffers contain about $573,000.
For the entire campaign, Bush has raised $2.65 million, and Bell has pulled in about $4.1 million.
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The advantage in contributions that Bell holds comes in no small measure from money donated by contributors with connections to a powerful pro-Israel lobby, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
AIPAC — which has targeted Bush since she adopted a strong pro-Palestine stance after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas — has helped Bell’s campaign pick up almost $1.9 million in contributions that were earmarked through the organization, federal reports show.
While at a far smaller level, about $41,000, Bush has received support from The Squad Victory fund, a group which backs progressive U.S. House members and candidates.
The campaign reports also show that Bush’s campaign still employs her husband, Cortney Merritts III, who continues to make $5,000 a month.
A third candidate in the race, former Missouri legislator Maria Chappelle-Nadal, raised less than $4,000 in the most recent quarter, bringing her total take up to about $18,700.
Also running in the Democratic primary is Ron Harshaw, who has not filed any report with the FEC.
The 1st District, which Bush has represented since 2020, covers all of ºüÀêÊÓƵ city and parts of north and west ºüÀêÊÓƵ County. It is heavily Democratic and the August primary winner is an overwhelming favorite to win the November general election.