The race to Washington D.C. is heating up as two Democrats are challenging Cori Bush for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell is hoping to unseat Bush, saying that the St. Louis region needs “clear and effective and steady” representation.
“I believe that, as county prosecutor, I’ve endeavored to represent everyone,” Bell told KMOX Radio in St. Louis. “When I was elected, I obviously thanked my supporters, but I even reached my hand across the aisle to say even the folks who didn’t support me, I hope that I can earn your support.”
Bell said that unlike Cori Bush, and her attempts to “defund the police,” he views law enforcement as “partners.”
“In most jurisdictions, you’re dealing with one, maybe two departments,” he said. “I work with 55 and we created the Chiefs Advisory Committee. What we do in that committee is in the word – advise. We get to talk to them and get advice. When we’re rolling out policy, we get their input, and we work together.”
He explained that in a divided country, building consensus and compromise is key. Bell said that Missourians need more people in Washington D.C. and Jefferson City who are willing to work together, adding that compromise shouldn’t be “a dirty word.” Bell said that Cori Bush does not own the District One seat, her constituents do.
One issue Bell is critical of is Bush’s stances against Israel, including her calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” as well as accusing the Israeli government of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
“I think that those statements were misguided,” he explained. “I think they were uninformed. I think they are dangerous. On a broader scale, I think we have to stand by our fellow democracies. It’s not just a coincidence that democracies have never gone to war with one another.”
Missouri’s First Congressional seat, representing the St. Louis region, is home to a large Jewish population.
Maria Chappelle-Nadal is also challenging Bush in the Democratic primary. A third contender, Ron Harshaw, dropped out of the race last week and endorsed Bell.
Polls open statewide at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Tuesday. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you can still vote.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. on August 6th, Missourinet will have reports about election night results at the top and bottom of the hour on Missourinet.com.
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