As dysfunction grows, St. Louis deserves leadership that protects our communities, reforms broken systems, and delivers for the people.
ST. LOUIS, MO — Today, Cori Bush formally announced her campaign to represent Missouri’s First Congressional District, pledging to fight for St. Louis families squeezed by rising costs, broken systems, government abandonment, and anti-democratic attacks from Trump and his billionaire allies.
This announcement comes as Washington is mired in crisis, with a government shutdown slashing food assistance, housing support, paychecks, and essential services families rely on to survive. Once again, regular people are paying the price for government dysfunction. The question before us isn’t whether Washington is broken – because it is. The question is whether we send leaders who will take on that broken, failing system and fight to change it. St. Louis deserves a leader who will rise to the moment, call out the chaos, and fight to protect our communities. That’s who Cori Bush is because that’s who Cori Bush has always been.
“Right now, we are in the fight of our lives. It isn’t politics as usual, and we can’t afford to operate as such. This is about survival for our families, and the moment is now,” said Cori Bush. “I’m running because Missouri’s First deserves leadership that’s built different. A leader who doesn’t just navigate a broken system, but works to build a better one. A leader who shows up when it’s hardest, who fights for all people, who unifies us with courage, resilience, and love. A leader rooted in the community, lifting the voices too often dismissed, and proving what’s possible when you fight for everyone. That’s who I’ve always been — ten toes down for this district”
Bush brings a proven record of delivering for St. Louis into this campaign, which includes:
- Continuing to show up in crisis even out of office — from tornado recovery efforts to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Missouri Democrats to protect voting rights.
- Championing economic dignity and health care justice— fighting for Medicare for All, expanding Social Security, and treating utilities like water and electricity as basic rights so families don’t have to choose between food and keeping the lights on.
- Authoring groundbreaking public safety legislation and delivering millions in violence-prevention funds to keep St. Louis neighborhoods safe.
- Having worked across the aisle to secure RECA compensation for Coldwater Creek victims
- Securing millions in disaster relief after devastating floods in 2022, helping communities rebuild.
- Leading a historic sleep-in on the U.S. Capitol steps, successfully extending the eviction moratorium for over 11 million people
- Delivering over $40 million in Community Project Funding for Missouri’s First District
- Stands up for human rights everywhere — from St. Louis to Puerto Rico, Gaza, Haiti, and beyond.
- On her third day in Congress, taking immediate action during the January 6 attack to hold members of Congress accountable who helped incite the insurrection.
- Refusing to back away from bold racial justice movements, Bush introduced the Reparations Now Resolution, elevating demands for federal reparations for the enslavement and systemic oppression of Black Americans.
- Sharing her abortion story in Congress, and introducing several pieces of legislation advancing reproductive rights, including legislation to protect medication abortion access.
- Advocating for the rights of the unhoused and against the criminalization of homelessness.
- Co-chairing the first-ever Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and leading renewed efforts to push for its ratification, arguing that gender equality is foundational to economic, health, and social justice.
- Spearheading bold proposals to reform the Supreme Court, advocating for changes to lifetime appointments, term limits, and accountability to protect democracy.
- Closing the “boyfriend loophole” to protect survivors of domestic abuse from gun violence with its inclusion in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
“For me, it has never been about a title. It has always been about my community — because St. Louis built me, brick by brick,” Cori Bush said. “Trump’s billionaire backers and the politicians in their pockets aren’t waiting to rig the rules, and we can’t wait to resist. We must protect our communities, expand opportunity, and deliver results for the people. St. Louis is built for this fight, and so am I.”
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