A challenger to “Squad” member Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) could be making strides, according to a new poll, highlighting broad pushback from centrist Democrats this primary season.
A poll from The Mellman Group shows challenger Wesley Bell making strides against Bush in the race for the Democratic nomination for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, which includes most of St. Louis and nearby cities such as Ferguson and University City. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) lost to his primary challenger, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Tuesday in the first blow to any of the “Squad” Democrats for their liberal stance toward Israel.
Bell is polling at 43%, one point ahead of Bush compared to her 42%. Eleven percent were undecided. The internal poll conducted was for Democratic Majority for Israel by its CEO and pollster Mark Mellman, both of whom have been critical of the anti-Israel positions of “Squad” members. The poll included 400 voters in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District between June 18-22 and has a margin of error of +/- 4.9%.
In terms of favorability, 60% expressed a favorable outlook toward Bush, and 31% were unfavorable, while Bell received 64% favorability and 22% unfavorable. Sixty-one percent of those polled approve of Bell’s job as St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, while 49% approve of Bush in Congress.
