The voters in Missouri’s bright blue 1st Congressional District have decided to make a change.

On Tuesday, they delivered a stinging rebuke to the left’s progressive wing, denying Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., a third term in office. The outcome of the primary saw Bush lose to St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell, a more moderate candidate, marking a significant shift in the district’s political landscape.

Bell, who had the backing of pro-Israel groups, benefited from millions spent to unseat Bush. These groups were motivated by Bush’s critical stance on the Jewish nation. This loss makes Bush the second member of her ultra-progressive “Squad” to be ousted in a primary. Previously, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., also fell to a moderate pro-Israel Democrat. This pattern highlights a growing rift within the Democratic Party, particularly over U.S. relations with Israel, a divide that has become more pronounced since the Hamas terror attack on October 7th of the previous year.

Bush, undeterred by Bowman’s defeat, chose to double down on her progressive base. She held an Election Day eve virtual rally alongside Bowman and another top Israel critic, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. Despite this show of solidarity, it seems the strategy did not resonate with the voters. Earlier this year, Bush revealed she was under investigation by the Justice Department, Federal Election Commission, and House Ethics Committee over her husband’s paid role as a member of her bodyguard detail. She accused “right-wing organizations” of spreading claims that she misused campaign funds for personal security services.

During the campaign, Bush and her allies attempted to paint Bell as more aligned with the right, pointing to his past volunteer work for an anti-abortion Republican candidate. However, Bell positioned himself under the progressive banner, though his stance on Israel sharply contrasted with Bush’s. He described Bush’s comments on Israel as “wrong and offensive,” according to the Associated Press.

With his victory, Bell is now the favorite to win the House seat in the upcoming November election. His triumph signals a potential shift in the district’s approach to key issues and reflects a broader debate within the Democratic Party over its future direction. As the political landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the voters have spoken, and they’re steering their representatives towards a different path.