Cori Bush

The fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, sparked widespread protests against police brutality and racial injustice. Cori Bush, a nurse and pastor at the time, became actively involved in the Ferguson protests. Her experiences during these protests were pivotal in shaping her political career and advocacy for racial equity, police reform, and community activism, ultimately leading her to run for political office to effect systemic change.

On July 10, 2016, Cori Bush participated in the Black Women's March on St. Louis, organized to address systemic racism, gender inequality, and police violence. This march was part of a larger movement to amplify the voices of Black women and bring attention to issues affecting them disproportionately. Bush's involvement in the march reflected her longstanding commitment to civil rights and social justice, which later became key themes in her political campaigns and tenure in Congress. The march demonstrated the power of collective activism and the essential role of Black women in community leadership.

Cori Bush was one of the four women featured in the award-winning documentary 'Knock Down the House,' which followed several progressive female candidates challenging entrenched incumbents in the 2018 midterm elections. The film captured Bush's 2018 campaign, showcasing her grassroots strategies and highlighting the challenges faced by outsider candidates who run on bold progressive platforms. Although Bush lost her race in 2018, her story gained national prominence through the documentary, which helped build recognition for her successful 2020 campaign.

Cori Bush ran for Congress in Missouri's 1st congressional district in 2018 but was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary by the incumbent Congressman Lacy Clay. Despite her loss, Bush's campaign gained significant attention and support from progressive organizations and prominent figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. This campaign marked Bush's introduction onto the national political stage as a leader within the progressive movement, advocating for policies such as Medicare for All and criminal justice reform, which contributed to her later success in 2020.

On August 4, 2020, Cori Bush won the Democratic primary election for Missouri's 1st congressional district, defeating 10-term incumbent Congressman Lacy Clay. Her victory was a significant upset and was largely fueled by her grassroots campaign and support from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Bush's win was a testament to the changing political landscape and the increasing demand for progressive policies such as Medicare for All, police reform, and climate action among Democratic voters. Her primary win set the stage for her eventual election to Congress later that year.

In late October 2020, Cori Bush's campaign released a powerful attack ad that went viral on social media, receiving widespread attention and boosting her visibility ahead of the November election. The ad criticized her opponent Lacy Clay for his ties to corporate interests and contrasted Clay's record with Bush's grassroots activism and advocacy for social justice. The viral nature of the ad and the attention it garnered helped energize her campaign and mobilize voters, particularly among younger and more progressive constituents in her district.

Cori Bush, a progressive activist and registered nurse, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 1st congressional district, making history as the first Black woman to represent Missouri in Congress. Her victory was seen as a significant win for progressive politics, as Bush ran on a platform advocating for social justice, Medicare for All, and defunding the police, among other issues. Her election highlighted the growing influence of grassroots movements in shaping the Democratic Party's agenda.

On January 3, 2021, Cori Bush was sworn in as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Missouri's 1st congressional district. She became the first Black woman to represent Missouri in Congress. Her swearing-in marked the beginning of a term in which Bush sought to bring her experiences as an activist and nurse to bear on policy-making, with a focus on advancing policies such as universal healthcare, housing justice, and criminal justice reform. Bush's presence in Congress represents a shift towards more diverse and progressive representation.

Cori Bush staged a multi-day protest on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to draw attention to the expiration of the federal eviction moratorium at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sleeping outside the Capitol, she captured national attention and pressured the Biden administration to extend the eviction moratorium. Bush's protest was a display of her commitment to addressing housing insecurity and protecting vulnerable Americans from losing their homes during the pandemic, showcasing her grassroots activism on a national stage.

Cori Bush was one of the six progressive Democrats who voted against the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, arguing that it did not do enough to address climate change or meet the needs of marginalized communities. Bush’s opposition was rooted in her desire to see more robust investments in social programs and environmental initiatives as part of the larger Build Back Better package. Her vote reflected her commitment to pushing for comprehensive solutions that tackle systemic inequities and prioritize sustainability over incremental change.