Bush shocks Clay in congressional primary: ‘We the people have answers’ – Cherokee Tribune Ledger News

UPDATEDat 11:30 p.m. Tuesday

Activist Cori Bush on Tuesday unseated longtime U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, ending his 20-year hold on Missouri's 1st Congressional District and putting her on a path to become the first Black woman to represent Missouri in the nation's capital.

Before Clay's tenure, his father William Clay held the seat for three decades. That makes Bush, whose campaign grew out of protests against the police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson in 2014, the first to topple the Clay political dynasty in 52 years.

Bush, 44, of Florissant, first challenged Clay in 2018. She returned this year with the same message that Clay hadn't been bold enough in tackling the district's challenges but with more campaign funds and support fromprogressive groups challengingestablishment Democrats in a bid to pull the party left.

"Tonight, Missouri's 1st District has decided that an incremental approach isn't going to work any longer," Bush said in a victory speech late Tuesday. "We decided that we the people have the answers, and we will lead from the front lines."

Bush, who has spoken openly about being evicted and failing to pay taxes, has said her background as a single mother of two children, connects her to working families in the district. She has promised to continue participating in street protests as a sitting member of congress.

In her speech Tuesday, Bush said Black Lives Matter "are not just words. It is historic that this year, of all the years, we're sending a Black, working-class, single mother, who's been fighting for Black lives since Ferguson, all the way to the halls of congress."

Bushs campaign focused on universal health care, radically reforming police departments, free public education and raising the minimum wage policies advocated by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who describes himself as a democratic socialist. Bush thanked Sanders for his endorsement and support Tuesday.

In their first matchup in 2018, Clay defeated Bush by more than 28,000 votes a 20-point margin that was the closest any challenger had come to unseating Clay until Tuesday night.

This year, she defeated Clay by a 3-point margin, 72,812 votes to 68,201.

Bush had more than triple the campaign donations than in 2018, and more name recognition from an appearance in Knock Down the House, a 2019 Netflix documentary that followed Bush and three other candidates seeking to replace incumbent Democrats with progressive women, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

Her campaign was supported by Justice Democrats, which elevated Ocasio-Cortez, and more recently, former school principal Jamaal Bowmans upset against 16-term incumbent Rep. Elliot Engel in New York. Bush's campaign sought to leverage the wins, as well as inequities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the police killing of George Floyd.

Clay, long a solid vote for Democratic policies, had touted his support for Sen. Bernie Sanders Medicare for All plan, Ocasio-Cortezs Green New Deal, and for impeaching President Donald Trump all positions that put him left of other centrist Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Clay has also pointed tohis role in bringing the multimillion-dollar National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency campus to north St. Louis.

The winner of Tuesday's primary is expected to coast to victory in November's general election, as the district typically votes overwhelmingly Democratic.

A third candidate for the Democratic nomination, Katherine Bruckner, had captured about 6.3% of the vote 5,142 votes as of 10:30 p.m.

Winnie Heartstrong and Anthony Rogers both filed for the GOP nomination but did not mount active campaigns. Rogers was on track to win Tuesday with 25-point margin.

District 2

There were no intraparty competitions in Tuesdays primary for Missouris 2nd Congressional District, where Democrat State Sen. Jill Schupp is challenging U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner.

Libertarian Martin Schulte, of Ballwin, is also running in the Nov. 3 general election.

The 2nd Congressional District includes much of St. Louis County, and parts of St. Charles and Jefferson counties.

District 3

In Missouris 3rd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer soundly defeated four Republican challengers in a five-way primary.

Luetkemeyer, of St. Elizabeth, had captured nearly 75% of the vote.

Luetkemeyer is heavily favored to win the Nov. 3 general election in theheavily Republican district against the Democratic nominee and Libertarian,Leonard Steinman, who ran unopposed in the primary.

Megan Rezabek, of Imperial, defeated Dennis Oglesby, of Warrenton, for the Democratic nomination. Rezabek won with a 29-point margin.

The 3rd Congressional District includes parts of St. Charles County and Jefferson County and all of Warren, Franklin and Lincoln counties.

Cori Bush, a Democratic candidate for Missouri's first congressional district, poses for a portrait outside of her campaign headquarters on election night in Northwoods on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Bush is challenging Democrat Lacy Clay, the first district's representative since 2001. Photo by Chris Kohley, ckohley@post-dispatch.com.

Cori Bush, a Democratic candidate for Missouri's first congressional district, waves to her supporters outside of her campaign headquarters on election night in Northwoods on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Bush is challenging Democrat Lacy Clay, the first district's representative since 2001. Photo by Chris Kohley, ckohley@post-dispatch.com.

Cori Bush, a Democratic candidate for Missouri's first congressional district, cheers outside of her campaign headquarters on election night in Northwoods on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Bush is challenging Democrat Lacy Clay, the first district's representative since 2001. Photo by Chris Kohley, ckohley@post-dispatch.com.

Protest leader Cori Bush works the bullhorn as marchers gather in The Loop for a rally and march against police brutality on Friday, June 12, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, democratic challenger for US Congress in Missouri's first district, stands for a portrait during the 2020 Primary Elections at the AAA Busch Middle School polling location in South St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Masks are mandatory at all indoor polling locations. Other health precautions are being taken as well including regular sanitization of communal spaces and plexiglass dividers. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, democratic challenger for US Congress in Missouri's first district, waves at voters during the 2020 Primary Elections at the AAA Busch Middle School polling location in South St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Masks are mandatory at all indoor polling locations. Other health precautions are being taken as well including regular sanitization of communal spaces and plexiglass dividers. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, democratic challenger for U.S. Congress in Missouri's 1st district, waves at voters during the 2020 Primary Elections at the AAA Busch Middle School polling location in South St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, democratic challenger for U.S. Congress in Missouri's 1st district, bumps elbows with supporter Ziah Reddick, left, during the 2020 Primary Elections at the AAA Busch Middle School polling location in South St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

Protest leader Cori Bush works the bullhorn as marchers gather in The Loop for a rally and march against police brutality on Friday, June 12, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Protest leader Cori Bush works a bullhorn as marchers gather in The Loop for a rally and march against police brutality on Friday, June 12, 2020. (Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com)

Activists Cori Bush, right, and Rev. Darryl Gray, hold a press conference, Monday, July 6, 2020, in front of the Florissant Police Station to talk about the 17 people arrested during protests the previous night. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com

Nnamdi Ihenacho embraces U.S. House of Representatives candidate Cori Bush after she gave a sidewalk speech on Friday, June 19, 2020, outside St. Louis City Hall during a Juneteenth celebration organized by ExpectUs police reform activists. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Reginald Garth stands by as U.S. House of Representatives candidate Cori Bush gives a speech on Friday, June 19, 2020, outside St. Louis City Hall during a Juneteenth celebration organized by ExpectUs police reform activists. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Protest leader Cori Bush works the bullhorn as marchers gather in The Loop for a rally and march against police brutality on Friday, June 12, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, former candidate for a U.S. House of Representative and Bernie Sanders supporter, watches the returns on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at a campaign volunteer watch party at Blueberry Hill in University City. The news had already broke that Sanders lost to fellow Democrat Joseph Biden in Missouri's presidential primary. Photo by Christian, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, left, former candidate for a U.S. House of Representative seat and Bernie Sanders supporter, gets a hug from fellow volunteer Skye Smith on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at a campaign volunteer watch party at Blueberry Hill in University City. The news had already broke that Sanders lost to fellow Democrat Joseph Biden in Missouri's presidential primary. Bush is running again for the same seat she lost to U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay in 2016.

Photo by Christian, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush sparks up the a crowd before Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. takes the stage at a Sanders campaign rally at the Stifel Theatre on Monday, March 9, 2020, in downtown St. Louis. The Missouri presidential primary is Tuesday, March 10. Bush is a nurse, single mother, ordained pastor and community activist running for US Congress in Missouri's 1st District. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. walks on the stage after being introduced by Cori Bush, right, at a campaign rally at the Stifel Theatre on Monday, March 9, 2020, in downtown St. Louis. The Missouri presidential primary is Tuesday, March 10. Bush is a nurse, single mother, ordained pastor and community activist running for US Congress in Missouri's 1st District. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, left, drops paper rose petals around the memorial to Michael Brown on Canfield Drive in Ferguson as she and others members of the community rebuild the memorial on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. Friday is the fifth anniversary of Michael Brown being shot and killed by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson on this exact spot. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, left, adds flowers to the memorial for Michael Brown on Canfield Drive in Ferguson as it is rebuilt on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. Friday is the fifth anniversary of Michael Brown being shot and killed by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com

Corzell Love, left, looks over the memorial to Michael Brown on Canfield Drive in Ferguson as it is rebuilt on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019.Friday is the fifth anniversary of Michael Brown being shot and killed by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, center, brings a balloon and stuffed animals as she and others start the process of rebuilding the memorial to Michael Brown on Canfield Drive in Ferguson on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019.Friday is the fifth anniversary of Michael Brown being shot and killed by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush hits a piata with the words "smash the patriarchy" and "stop rape culture" written on it during a protesters held outside of of Sen. Roy Blunt's office in reaction to the Senate confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, in Clayton, Missouri, on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. Photo by Johanna Huckeba, jhuckeba@post-dispatch.com.

Cori Bush is embraced after she hit a piata with the words "smash the patriarchy" and "stop rape culture" written on it during a protesters held outside of of Sen. Roy Blunt's office in reaction to the Senate confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, in Clayton, Missouri, on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. Photo by Johanna Huckeba, jhuckeba@post-dispatch.com.

Community activist and congressional candidate Cori Bush talks about the times she was sexually assaulted on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, during a protest against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court at the Clayton office of Sen. Roy Blunt. Bush was making the point that many women have been assaulted and Kavanaugh's accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, should be believed. Bush said it should not be business as usual if Kavanaugh is nominated. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com

Community activist Cori Bush talks about the times she was sexually assaulted on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, during a protest against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court at the Clayton office of Sen. Roy Blunt. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Alderwoman Megan Green hugs community activist Cori Bush on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, during a protest against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court at the Clayton office of Sen. Roy Blunt. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (in purple with clipboard), who gained national attention with her recent defeat of a longtime Democratic U.S. House member in a New York primary race, campaigns with local Congressional candidate Cori Bush (in purple next to Ocasio-Cortez) on Saturday in the 4100 block of Kossuth Avenue in St. Louis. Bush is challenging U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay in the Aug. 7 Democratic primary here. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left), who gained national notoriety by upsetting a popular Democratic incumbent in her New York Congressional district primary race, speaks to supporters of Cori Bush (right), before walking down a street in a neighborhood near Fairground Park on Saturday, July 21, 2018. Bush is Rep. William Lacy Clay's primary opponent for Missouri's 1st Congressional district. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who gained national notoriety by upsetting a popular Democratic incumbent in her New York Congressional district primary race, campaigns for Cori Bush on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Sqwires restaurant in St. Louis' Lafayette Square neighborhood. Bush is Rep. William Lacy Clay's primary opponent for Missouri's 1st Congressional district. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

"We don't want police to control and purge," said organizer Cori Bush (left), who was among than three dozen protesters who set up an open phone bank in front the St. Louis police headquarters to make phone calls to residents against Prop P on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, a congressional candidate running against Lacy Clay in the democratic primary, addresses about a 1,000 people gathered at Kiener Plaza in St. Louis on Saturday, June 30, 2018 to protest the Trump Administration's policy of family separation and detention. The St. Louis rally was part of the Families Belong Together demonstrations held across the country to protest the Trump Administration?s policy of forcibly separating children from their parents, the detention of families and calling for children to be reunited with their parents now. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com

City leaders, (left to right), St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones, State Rep. Bruce Franks, Jr., Cori Bush, a U.S. congressional candidate for the 1st District of Missouri, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed and Democratic Committeeman Danny Sample, 24th ward, celebrate a second ribbon cutting for the reopening of renovated museum at the Gateway Arch on Friday, July 6, 2018.

Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

(Left to right), State Rep. Bruce Franks, celebrates a second ribbon cutting on Friday, July 6, 2018, with Farrakhan Shegog, candidate for state representative in Missouri's 86th district, Cori Bush, a U.S. congressional candidate for the 1st District of Missouri, the Rev. Darryl Gray, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed, and Democratic Committeeman Rasheen Aldridge Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, a U.S. congressional candidate for the 1st District of Missouri, speaks at a ceremony and second ribbon cutting for the reopening of the renovated Gateway Arch museum on Friday, July 6, 2018, Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

(Left to right), State Rep. Bruce Franks, celebrates a ribbon cutting on Friday, July 6, 2018, with Farrakhan Shegog, candidate for state representative in Missouri's 86th district, Cori Bush, a U.S. congressional candidate for the 1st District of Missouri, the Rev. Darryl Gray, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed, and Democratic Committeeman Rasheen Aldridge Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

From left to right, inside circle of arch, (foreground) Tishaura Jones, City of St. Louis Treasurer, Susan Saarinen, daughter of Arch designer Eero Saarinen, State Representative D 78th Dist, Bruce Franks, Jr., Community Activist and congressional candidate, Cori Bush, and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, and City of St Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Protest leaders Rev. Darryl Gray (center) and Cori Bush joined a group demonstrating outside The Ritz-Carlton in Clayton where Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was holding a fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. Clayton police officers were on hand to stop protesters from entering the hotel. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Activist Elizabeth Vega (center) is helped by Rasheen Aldridge (left) and Cori Bush as she is released from the Buzz Westfall Justice Center on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. Twenty-two people were arrested Saturday during a march through the Galleria. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, a Democratic candidate for Missouri's first congressional district, greets supporter Cathy Daniels outside of her campaign headquarters on election night in Northwoods on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Bush is challenging Democrat Lacy Clay, the first district's representative since 2001. Photo by Chris Kohley, ckohley@post-dispatch.com.

Cori Bush, left, former candidate for a U.S. House of Representative seat and Bernie Sanders supporter, gets a hug from a fellow supporter on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, after giving a morale-boosting speech at a campaign volunteer watch party at Blueberry Hill in University City. The news had already been reported that Sanders lost to fellow Democrat Joseph Biden in Missouri's presidential primary. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com