Cori Bush vows to continue serving Missouri after she leaves the U.S. House 

By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO

As the sun sets on Cori Bush’s tenure as the U.S. representative for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, the community she served is left to reflect on the impact of her time in office. Known for her grassroots activism and unwavering commitment to social justice, Bush’s departure from Congress may close a chapter, but it is far from the end of her journey.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be around. I may not be in the seat for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, but I will still be doing the work. Leaving Congress only cut the strings that were binding me in some areas,” Bush told the AFRO in an exclusive interview.

The 48-year-old politician’s time in Congress, though brief, was marked by significant moments that defined her leadership. Elected during a tumultuous period in American history, her third day in office coincided with the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. This harrowing event set the stage for her immediate commitment to accountability and justice, leading to the impeachment of then-President Donald Trump shortly thereafter.

“We impeached Donald Trump in just that small span of time before he left office. It was still COVID when I entered Congress and yet we were able to make historic strides,” she told the AFRO, highlighting the challenges of governing during a global pandemic while still making an impact.

Throughout Bush’s time in office, she focused on a range of issues that resonated deeply with her constituents, from healthcare access to housing security. Her experiences as a nurse and a community organizer fueled her passion for advocating for marginalized communities. She often spoke about the importance of being a voice for those who feel unheard, a theme that reverberated throughout her legislative efforts.

Bush’s passion for social justice and equity is perhaps best summed up in how she wants to be remembered.

“I want to be remembered as what people in my district call me a ‘fighter.’ Someone who delivered for St. Louis even in such a small amount of time,” she expressed.

This commitment to fighting for her constituents was evident in her willingness to tackle difficult issues head-on, whether it was advocating for police reform or addressing economic disparities exacerbated by the pandemic.

Bush told the AFRO that she is deeply concerned with her successor, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell who defeated her in the Democratic primary and who won the general election on Nov. 5.

“To be in a position now where there is someone who is replacing me that has not been doing that work, calls himself a progressive but has no background in the Green New Deal, has no background in Medicare for all or any of the work that we’ve been doing is tough,” Bush told the AFRO.

“It’s tough because I only ran for this seat to bring about transformative change for people who have gone through the things that I’ve gone through and worse,…to make sure that those needs are being met,” she continued.

As she moves forward, Bush hopes Bell will prioritize serving all constituents, reminding him, “this is not about your ego.”

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