Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Cory Bush (D-Mo.), two progressive lawmakers who are members of the “squad,” fended off primary challengers Tuesday, making them the favorites to win their third and second terms, respectively. respectively.
Bush won 69.5 percent of the vote in the primary, easily defeating Missouri state senator Steve Roberts, who received 26.6 percent of the vote.
Roberts ran a more moderate campaign, saying Bush was putting “publicity” before his constituents in the district, which includes St. Louis and nearby suburbs, and noted that he voted against legislation such as the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
“For anyone wondering if you can go to Congress as a single mom, nurse, pastor, politician, and survivor, be yourself, vote your conscience, work for your community, and get re-elected – St. Lewis and I have our answer,” Bush wrote Tuesday night shortly after The Associated Press tipped the race in her favor.
In Michigan, Tlieb also easily won his primary against three primary challengers, garnering 66.5 percent of the vote. AP called the race early Wednesday morning.
She defeated Detroit Secretary Janice Winfrey, who won 18.4% of the vote; Lathrup Village Mayor Kelly Garrett, who won 10.2 percent; and former state Rep. Chanel Jackson, who won 4.9 percent.
The two races have been recent bright spots for progressives who have had a mixed experience in 2022.
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But in other elections held on Tuesday, progressives largely fell short.
In the caucus primary in Michigan’s 11th district, moderate Congresswoman Haley Stevens defeated Congressman Andy Levin, who was backed by progressives including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
And in Missouri’s Democratic Senate primary, Lucas Coons, also endorsed by Sanders, lost the race to philanthropist Trudy Bush Valentine.
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