After a bruising primary defeat, ‘Squad’ member Cori Bush became the target of renewed Republican mockery, as critics celebrated the loss as a political rebuke while supporters warned against gloating, calling the reaction divisive and emblematic of deepening polarization surrounding progressive voices, party loyalty, and the future of Democratic politics.

Missouri Rep. Cori Bush’s primary loss marks a major turning point for the progressive “Squad.” She’s now the second member of the group to lose her seat this cycle, defeated by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell by a clear margin of 54.9% to 41.8%. The result has sparked debate about the future of the party’s progressive wing and whether the Squad’s influence is starting to fade.

Bush first became known as an activist after the Ferguson protests, later unseating longtime Rep. Lacy Clay in 2020. Her alignment with the Squad boosted her national profile, but critics said her focus drifted too far toward national ideological battles and away from local concerns like crime and economic stability. Over time, many voters felt she was more active on social media than in her district.

Several controversies hurt her politically. Her criticism of Israel after the October 7 attacks alienated moderate and Jewish voters. Allegations that she misused campaign funds to pay her husband for security raised concerns about hypocrisy given her support for cutting police budgets. Combined with rising crime in her district, these issues fed a narrative that she wasn’t effectively addressing local needs.

Bush’s defeat mirrors the fall of another Squad member, New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who also lost his primary amid his own controversies. Together, the losses have fueled questions about whether the progressive movement has overextended itself, or whether voters simply want more practical, district-focused leadership.

Conservatives seized on Bush’s loss, using it as evidence that far-left politics are losing steam even in blue areas. For Democrats, the story is more complicated: the party must keep its progressive base energized while winning back moderates weary of ideological fights.

Bush’s downfall shows how quickly political fortunes can change when representatives don’t stay connected to local priorities. It’s also a reminder that national spotlight and activism don’t guarantee reelection—constituents still expect tangible results.

As Democrats look ahead, Bush’s loss offers a lesson for progressives: national ambitions and ideological purity must be balanced with everyday governance. The future of the Squad may depend on whether its members can adapt to that reality.