ST. LOUIS—With the Aug. 6 primaries just over three months away, there are several endorsements still up for grabs in a handful of high-profile races. Today, we’re examining the state of play in the Democratic primary for Missouri’s First Congressional District. 

A year ago, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones’ endorsement of Rep. Cori Bush would have been seen as a near-foregone conclusion. They are longtime allies who shared a photo-opportunity with now-former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner near the Arch following Bush’s 2020 primary upset of 10-term incumbent Rep. Lacy Clay.

Bush easily defeated State Sen. Steve Roberts in the 2022 Democratic primary and coasted to re-election in the majority-minority district in the general election.

But the 2024 campaign is more complex. Bush is under federal investigation for her use of campaign funds to pay for private security, including the hiring of her now-husband. She denies any wrongdoing. Bush has been an outspoken critic of Israeli government policy on Palestinian issues, a stance that has only ratcheted up in the wake of the October terror attacks by Hamas and the ensuing war. Bush has called for an immediate ceasefire. As a result, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee has backed St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell in the race, which also incudes former state lawmaker Maria Chappelle-Nadal and Ron Harshaw, a local teacher.

Her brand of progressive politics has made her a lightning rod for years, but the more recent controversies swirling around Bush haven’t appeared to put much distance between her and Jones as they have continued to share public appearances.

Jones and her political team said they would interview all candidates who filed before announcing an endorsement decision. No timetable for an endorsement announcement has been announced.

Bush and Bell both appeared remotely in early April for a candidate forum for the St. Louis branch of the organization dubbed Indivisible, a progressive social justice organization. Indivisible said it plans to announce an endorsement in May.

Some key organized labor endorsements remain open in the race as well. The AFL-CIO could announce in June, a source confirms to Spectrum News. The organization backed Senate candidate Lucas Kunce just as Bell arrived in that race before Bell switched to the House contest. The UAW, which joined in Bush’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza and which received backing from Bush during the union’s strike against General Motors last year, may also still yet officially weigh in on the race.

One key political figure in Democratic circles says he will not endorse in the race. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page says he doesn’t typically endorse in primaries and says he has a good working relationship with the candidates.