Cori Bush becomes first Squad member to back Harris

Progressive Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), a Squad member running a tight race for reelection in Missouri, is backing Vice President Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee. 

Bush was among the earliest left-wing voices in the House to embrace Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee after President Biden announced that he was suspending his campaign on Sunday.

She is competing to hold on to her seat in the state’s 1st Congressional District against moderate Democratic challenger Wesley Bell, who is St. Louis County’s prosecuting attorney.

“In 2020, voters turned out to deliver Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House. The people’s vote was a vote not only for President Biden, but a vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and her ability to defeat MAGA extremism across the country,” Bush wrote in a statement. 

Bush has been one of the most vocal members on Capitol Hill pushing Democrats to do more toward racial equality and justice, drawing inspiration from her early work as a Black Lives Matter activist. She channeled that advocacy in her full-throated endorsement of Harris.

“When we say trust Black women, we mean it. Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party and it is past time for us to lead our country forward. Kamala Harris is more than ready to lead at this moment,” Bush wrote.

“As we look forward to November, it is clear to me that Vice President Kamala Harris has the vision to carry this legacy forward, defeat Donald Trump, and I unequivocally endorse her for President of the United States,” she added.