Joe Holleman | Post-Dispatch
Political correspondent/columnist
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell defeated Cori Bush in Tuesday's Democratic primary to continue representing Missouri's 1st Congressional District 鈥斅爐he second time in two years he has bested the former two-term congresswoman.
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U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell speaks to media outside the Mid-County Branch public library on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, before voting in Missouri鈥檚 primary elections. Bell and former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush are facing off for the Democratic nomination as Bush vies for her old seat. (Christian Gooden/最新杏吧原创 Post-Dispatch)聽
Former representative Cori Bush pauses before addressing her supporters at her election party at Family Haven in Dellwood after U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell won the Missouri's 1st Congressional District primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Bush was looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Bell.
Incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell looks out at the crowd while speaking after he won the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary election at Marriott 最新杏吧原创 Grand in 最新杏吧原创, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
鈥淭his is devastating,鈥 said Camelia King, left, who reacts alongside her daughter Sophia Johnson, to the early AP news projecting U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell the winner in the in Missouri's 1st Congressional District race, defeating challenger Cori Bush during a watch party for Bush on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at her election party at Family Haven in Dellwood. Bush was looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Bell.
Former representative Cori Bush dances alongside intern Darren Ross after addressing supporters at her election party at Family Haven in Dellwood after U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell won the Missouri's 1st Congressional District primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Bush was looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Bell.
Incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell hugs Shirley Farmer, of 最新杏吧原创, after he won the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary election at Marriott 最新杏吧原创 Grand in 最新杏吧原创, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Photos: Scenes from Tuesday's elections around the 最新杏吧原创 area
Missouri voters decide in 2026 primaries
A voter is greeted by an electioneer on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, outside the 最新杏吧原创 County Election Board headquarters in St. Ann as residents cast their ballots in the Missouri primary elections.
Missouri voters decide in 2026 primaries
A roll of 鈥業 Voted鈥 stickers for 最新杏吧原创 County sits available to voters on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, near the ballot box at the Mid-County Branch public library polling place as Missouri鈥檚 primary elections get underway.
Missouri voters decide in 2026 primaries
最新杏吧原创 County Executive candidate Brian Williams greets Bridgett Sykes, a volunteer electioneer for his campaign on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, as he arrives to vote at Jackson Park Elementary school polling place in University City for Missouri鈥檚 primary elections.
Missourians cast ballots in primary election
Voters and campaign volunteers gather outside the entrance to Creve Coeur City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, as residents arrive to cast their ballots in Missouri's primary election.
Missourians cast ballots in primary election
最新杏吧原创 County Executive candidate Jake Zimmerman, right, greets voters Stan Grossman, left, and Amy Bennett outside Creve Coeur City Hall before they cast their ballots on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Creve Coeur. Zimmerman is seeking the Democratic nomination for 最新杏吧原创 County executive.
Missourians cast ballots in primary election
Ninder Panesar, left, and Sarah Stork cast their ballots at Creve Coeur City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Creve Coeur.
Missouri voters decide in 2026 primaries
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell speaks to media outside the Mid-County Branch public library on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, before voting in Missouri鈥檚 primary elections. Bell and former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush are facing off for the Democratic nomination as Bush vies for her old seat. (Christian Gooden/最新杏吧原创 Post-Dispatch)聽
Rematch between Wesley Bell and Cori Bush
Former U.S. Representative Cori Bush talks with voter Keith Anderson as she campaigns on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, outside the 最新杏吧原创 County Library-Natural Bridge Branch in Normandy. Former Rep. Bush is looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Representative Wesley Bell in the Missouri 1st Congressional District Democratic primary election.
Rematch between Wesley Bell and Cori Bush
鈥淚 voted for her two weeks ago,鈥 said Tammisha Spratt, right, who grabs a selfie with former U.S. Representative Cori Bush as she campaigns on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, outside the 最新杏吧原创 County Library-Natural Bridge Branch in Normandy. Former Rep. Bush is looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Representative Wesley Bell in the Missouri 1st Congressional District Democratic primary election.
Rematch between Wesley Bell and Cori Bush
Former U.S. Representative Cori Bush dances as she arrives to campaign on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, outside the 最新杏吧原创 County Library-Natural Bridge Branch in Normandy. Former Rep. Bush is looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Representative Wesley Bell in the Missouri 1st Congressional District Democratic primary election.
Missourians cast ballots in primary election
Polling place manager Robert Heck, left, and election judge Betty Anderson-Hamilton prepare a voter check-in station at Creve Coeur City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Creve Coeur.
Rep. Wesley Bell election watch party at Marriott 最新杏吧原创 Grand
Incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell looks out at the crowd while speaking after he won the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary election at Marriott 最新杏吧原创 Grand in 最新杏吧原创, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Rep. Wesley Bell election watch party at Marriott 最新杏吧原创 Grand
Supporters hold signs and cheer as they wait for Rep. Wesley Bell鈥檚 arrival after he won the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary election at his watch party at Marriott 最新杏吧原创 Grand in 最新杏吧原创, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Rep. Wesley Bell election watch party at Marriott 最新杏吧原创 Grand
Lisa Porter, of 最新杏吧原创, watches as Rep. Wesley Bell speaks after winning the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary election at his watch party at Marriott 最新杏吧原创 Grand in 最新杏吧原创, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. 鈥淲e are fans, voters and supporters of him,鈥 Porter said.
Rep. Wesley Bell election watch party at Marriott 最新杏吧原创 Grand
Incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell hugs Shirley Farmer, of 最新杏吧原创, after he won the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary election at Marriott 最新杏吧原创 Grand in 最新杏吧原创, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell projected to beat Cori Bush in rematch and retain seat
鈥淭his is devastating,鈥 said Camelia King, left, who reacts alongside her daughter Sophia Johnson, to the early AP news projecting U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell the winner in the in Missouri's 1st Congressional District race, defeating challenger Cori Bush during a watch party for Bush on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at her election party at Family Haven in Dellwood. Bush was looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Bell.
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell beats Cori Bush in rematch and retains seat
鈥淚鈥檓 not worn out. I鈥檓 not tired out. I鈥檓 not beat up. I鈥檓 not sat down. I am not silenced.. because what I am is that same fighter that stood up for you before. I don鈥檛 have to have a title to fight for me people St. Lous,鈥 said former representative Cori Bush, who thanks her staff and interns at her election party at Family Haven in Dellwood after U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell won the Missouri's 1st Congressional District primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Bush was looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Bell.
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell beats Cori Bush in rematch and retains seat
Former representative Cori Bush pauses before addressing her supporters at her election party at Family Haven in Dellwood after U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell won the Missouri's 1st Congressional District primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Bush was looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Bell.
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell beats Cori Bush in rematch and retains seat
Supporters gather to listen to former representative Cori Bush speak at her election party at Family Haven in Dellwood after U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell won the Missouri's 1st Congressional District primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Bush was looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Bell.
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell beats Cori Bush in rematch and retains seat
鈥淚鈥檓 not worn out. I鈥檓 not tired out. I鈥檓 not beat up. I鈥檓 not sat down. I am not silenced.. because what I am is that same fighter that stood up for you before. I don鈥檛 have to have a title to fight for me people St. Lous,鈥 said former representative Cori Bush, who thanks her staff and interns at her election party at Family Haven in Dellwood after U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell won the Missouri's 1st Congressional District primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Bush was looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Bell.
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell beats Cori Bush in rematch and retains seat
Former representative Cori Bush dances alongside intern Darren Ross after addressing supporters at her election party at Family Haven in Dellwood after U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell won the Missouri's 1st Congressional District primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Bush was looking to win back the seat she lost two years ago to incumbent Bell.
Missouri REALTORS host election night watch party
"No on 4 & 5" campaign signs rest on a table during an election night watch party hosted by the Missouri Association of REALTORS庐 on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at the organization's Jefferson City office.
Missouri REALTORS host election night watch party
From left, Brian R. Jared, Brent Sager, Matthew Becker and Antwann Rhodes talk before an election night watch party hosted by the Missouri Association of REALTORS庐 on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at the organization's Jefferson City office.
Missouri REALTORS host election night watch party
Scott Charton embraces Amy Blouin after supporters learned Missouri Amendments 4 and 5 had been defeated during an election night watch party hosted by the Missouri Association of REALTORS庐 on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at the organization's Jefferson City office.
Election night watch party for Brian Williams in 最新杏吧原创 County Executive Democratic primary
Early in the night as results are beginning to trickle in state Sen. Brian Williams walks around his election night watch party greeting people at the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Election night watch party for Brian Williams in 最新杏吧原创 County Executive Democratic primary
State Sen. Brian Williams talks to the news media at his election night watch party in the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Jake Zimmerman wins Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive
Jake Zimmerman and his wife Megan Zimmerman walk down the hall to announce his victory in the Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive to a room full of his supporters at his election night watch party in the Residence Inn in Clayton on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Jake Zimmerman wins Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive
Jake Zimmerman is all smiles as he walks into the room and is greeted by applause and cheers just before he announces his victory in the Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive during his election night watch party at the Residence Inn in Clayton on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Jake Zimmerman wins Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive
Jake Zimmerman addresses a room full of supporters at an election night party at the Residence Inn in Clayton on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. He had secured a win in the Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive.
Jake Zimmerman wins Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive
Jake Zimmerman addresses a room full of his supporters as he announces his victory in the Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive while his wife Megan Zimmerman and son Gabriel Zimmerman, 12, stand by his side during his election night watch party at the Residence Inn in Clayton on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Jake Zimmerman wins Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive
Jake Zimmerman hugs his wife Megan Zimmerman and son Gabriel Zimmerman, 12, after he announced he won the Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive during his election night watch party at the Residence Inn in Clayton on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Jake Zimmerman wins Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive
Megan Zimmerman looks at her son Gabriel Zimmerman, 12, as Jake Zimmerman announces he won the Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive to a room full of supporters at Zimmerman鈥檚 election night watch party at the Residence Inn in Clayton on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. Jake Zimmerman credited his son as always believing in him and encouraging him to run in the election
Jake Zimmerman wins Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive
Jake Zimmerman addresses a room full of his supporters as he announces his victory in the Democratic primary for 最新杏吧原创 County Executive during his election night watch party at the Residence Inn in Clayton on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Jason Law, 2026 primary candidate for St. Charles County executive
St. Charles County executive candidate Jason Law talks to a supporter during his watch party at the Lake Forest Country Club in Lake Saint Louis on Aug. 4, 2026.
080426_jd_election_day_Eigel_02.JPG
St. Charles County Executive candidate Bill Eigel fills out his ballot as he votes at Bryan Middle School in Weldon Spring on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Missouri鈥檚 primary elections.
Election Night Watch Party Steve Ehlmann
St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann speaks to the media as he declares his victory at his election night watch party at Tubby鈥檚 Hall in St. Charles on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.聽
