St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell announced on Monday that he was ending his U.S. Senate campaign to instead compete for the House seat held by Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), a member of the leftist “Squad.”
The pair will face off in the Democratic Party’s primary in Missouri‘s First Congressional District next year, which Bush has won in the past two elections.
“Over the last several weeks, as I’ve campaigned around the state, I’ve heard one refrain from Democrats above all else: yes, we need you in Washington, but St. Louis needs you in the House of Representatives,” Bell said in a statement.
— Wesley Bell (@WesleyBell4MO) October 30, 2023
“So, after thoughtful consideration and consultation with respected and committed community and political leaders, I am formally withdrawing as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, and announcing my candidacy for the Democratic nomination to US House of Representatives for Missouri’s First Congressional District.”
In a press conference, Bell said the “Defund the Police” movement backed by Bush was “misguided” and “hurt Democrats.” He also said Bush’s push to cut aid to Israel — at a time when Israel is fighting Hamas in response to terrorist attacks — was out of sync with people in their party view as the appropriate response.
“Understanding this unique place that we are with the world literally on fire,” Bell said, “I think that we need to make certain that we are providing that effective leadership, not only in our district but in D.C. and on the world stage.”
Bell, who was elected as St. Louis County prosecuting attorney in 2018, announced in June that he was running against Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO). Asked on Monday if he planned to endorse another candidate in the Senate race, Bell said he had not considered it yet but noted there were “viable” competitors against Hawley still in the contest.
On his campaign website, Bell is described as being “committed to strengthening our economy by focusing on workers and job and skills training, lowering health insurance and prescription drug costs, reinvesting in rural communities, standing up for seniors, and protecting our planet by fighting climate change.”