Progressive Leader Cori Bush Topples Political Dynasty With Historic Win

A double minority as a female and Black, a single mother, a nurse, an ordained minister, a Black Lives Matter organizer, a progressive Democrat focused on change in a community marred by severe racial divide, Cori Bush stands at the front lines.

Bush’s win in Tuesday night’s Missouri Primary was a step toward political equity for women, marked by a historic and unexpected victory against veteran politician William Lacy Clay, 64. Lacy Clay served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 20 years, following in his father’s footsteps, Bill Clay, who served 32 years in Congress. Lacy Clay spent a majority of his time in the Washington D.C. area, where he attended high school, then earned a degree in political science at the University of Maryland. He also attended prestigious Howard University’s School of Law, a private historically black college and university in Washington D.C.

In contrast, once homeless Bush, 44, attended St. Louis public schools, going on to attend Harris Stowe-State University, and subsequently graduating from the Lutheran School of Nursing, both in the St. Louis region. Many agree that she is more in tune with her community, particularly the racial and economic inequity. As an ordained minister, Bush’s life as a community activist brought a level of compassion and understanding at a crucial time when the entire nation was in uproar following the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson. Bush worked as an organizer and triage nurse during the protests. Clay was all but absent during that community crisis, perhaps marking the beginning of the end for his tenure in Congress and the topple of the Clay family as a political dynasty.

Bush challenged Clay in the 2018 Democratic primary, but lost that race, continuing her fight for progress, and ultimately defeated the veteran politician with 48% of votes, to his 45%. Her win marked the first time in 62 years that the seat was not held by a member of the Clay family.

As the new member of the U.S. House of representatives, Bush’s district covers all of St. Louis city and much of northern St. Louis County, including Maryland Heights, University City, Ferguson and Florissant. The 1st Congressional district is heavily Democratic and roughly half African American. Some see her win as a moment in history that paves the future for minority and female representation in key positions that will help fight systemic racism.