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Who is Cori Bush? Meet the first Black woman in Congress from Missouri who defeated Rep William Lacy Clay 

Bush recognizes herself as a nurse, pastor, single mom and Ferguson-made activist. She became an activist in 2014 and has been fighting for the justice of the Black community since

The 20-year incumbent Missouri Rep William Lacy Clay was defeated by progressive activist and racial justice movement veteran Cori Bush in the Democratic primary held on Tuesday, August 4. Bush lost against Clay in 2018 as the first candidate launched by Justice Democrats to win the US House seat based in St. Louis, which had been held by Clay and his father Bill Clay since 1969. Bush made history by becoming the first Black woman in Congress from Missouri.

Following her victory, Bush told in her speech, “We've been called radicals, terrorists, we've been dismissed as an impossible fringe movement -- that's what they called us. But now, we are a multiracial, multiethnic, multigenerational, mass movement united in demanding change, in demanding accountability, in demanding that our police, our government, our country recognize that Black lives do, indeed, matter,” according to CNN. 

Who is Cori Bush and how did she win over 10-term incumbent Lacy Clay?

Bush recognizes herself as a nurse, pastor, single mom, and Ferguson-made activist. She became an activist in 2014 and has been fighting for the justice of the Back community since. She had been running to represent MO-01 in US Congress. In 2018, she was reportedly backed by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, the Sunrise Movement, and progressive leaders including Jamaal Bowman. She lost to Clay, who won with 57% of the primary vote. Although Bush had become a voice among the Black community since 2014, she gained more visibility and credibility during the Black Lives Matter movement led by the tragic death of George Floyd by raising huge funds.

Further commenting on her victory in the primary, Bush said, "It is historic. That this year, of all 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."

Bush’s win is being celebrated by people all over Twitter, who are congratulating the new progressive leader on taking over the conservatives with her latest win. “It’s time for change! Old political dynasties are becoming outdated. We want boots on the ground leaders who relate to the plight of Black lives. So happy for you @CoriBus” read a tweet. 

"So proud of you. Im not a resident of MO, but with ur humble beginnings & no political background this was no easy feat. Just want u to know that ppl around the country r watching u, supporting u and r proud of u. Keep representing US."