History of Cori Bush in Timeline

Cori Bush is an American politician, nurse, pastor, and Black Lives Matter activist. She served as the U.S. representative for Missouri's 1st congressional district from 2021 to 2025, representing the city of St. Louis and most of northern St. Louis County.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1911: Democratic Hands since 1911

The district and its predecessors have been in Democratic hands without interruption since 1911.

1968: Clay Family won seat

In 1968, Bill Clay, won the seat in U.S. House of Representatives.

July 21, 1976: Cori Bush Born

On July 21, 1976, Cori Anika Bush was born. She later became a politician, nurse, pastor, and Black Lives Matter activist.

Others born on this day/year

1994: Graduation and Personal Challenges

In 1994, Cori Bush graduated from Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School and became pregnant after being raped, leading to an abortion.

1995: University Studies Begin

In 1995, Cori Bush began studying at Harris–Stowe State University.

2000: Lacy Clay Success

In 2000, Lacy Clay succeeded his father.

2001: Preschool Work Ends

In 2001, Cori Bush stopped working at a preschool.

2001: Lived in Ford Explorer

In 2001, Cori Bush, her husband at the time, and young children lived in their Ford Explorer for about three months after being evicted from a rental home.

2008: Nursing Diploma

In 2008, Cori Bush earned a Diploma in Nursing from the Lutheran School of Nursing.

2011: Established Kingdom Embassy International Church

In 2011, Cori Bush established the Kingdom Embassy International Church in St. Louis, Missouri.

2014: Ferguson Unrest Activism

In 2014, Cori Bush became a political activist during the Ferguson unrest, working as a triage nurse and organizer.

2016: Senate Election Loss

In 2016, Cori Bush ran unsuccessfully in the U.S. Senate election in Missouri.

2017: Advocated Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund

In 2017, Cori Bush advocated for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund.

2018: Primary Campaign Against Lacy Clay

In 2018, Cori Bush launched a primary campaign against incumbent Democratic representative Lacy Clay in Missouri's 1st congressional district.

2018: Unsuccessful Primary Run

In 2018, Cori Bush ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for Missouri's 1st congressional district.

2019: Featured in "Knock Down the House"

In 2019, Cori Bush was featured in the Netflix documentary film "Knock Down the House", which covered her first primary challenge to Lacy Clay.

July 2020: Accusations related march

In July 2020, Bush was accused of calling for violence against a couple involved in a controversial march.

2020: U.S. Presidential Election

Donald Trump loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 election

2020: Advocated Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund

In 2020, Cori Bush advocated for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund.

2020: Defeated Lacy Clay in Primary Election

In 2020, Cori Bush defeated 10-term incumbent Lacy Clay in the U.S. House of Representatives primary election.

2020: Endorsements for Election

In 2020, Cori Bush received endorsements from progressive organizations and individuals for her election campaign.

January 6, 2021: Resolution to Remove Republicans

On January 6, 2021, Cori Bush introduced a resolution to remove Republicans who supported attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election from the House of Representatives.

May 2021: Testified on Black Maternal Health

In May 2021, Cori Bush testified to the House Oversight and Reform Committee about racial disparities in maternal healthcare and her personal experience during her first pregnancy.

August 5, 2021: Defended Spending on Personal Security

On August 5, 2021, Cori Bush defended spending on personal security while advocating for defunding the police.

August 2021: Fought to Extend Eviction Moratorium

In August 2021, Cori Bush took a leading role in fighting to extend the CARES Act's eviction moratorium, even sleeping on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

September 2021: Voted Against Funding Israel's Iron Dome

In September 2021, Cori Bush was one of eight Democrats to vote against the funding of Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.

November 5, 2021: Voted Against Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

On November 5, 2021, Cori Bush was one of six House Democrats to break with their party and vote against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

2021: Advocated Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund

In 2021, Cori Bush advocated for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund.

July 2022: Voting Alignment with Biden

As of July 2022, Cori Bush had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 93.0% of the time.

2022: Re-election campaign

In 2022, Bush ran for reelection to the seat and won the Democratic primary with almost 70% of the vote.

2022: Advocated Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund

In 2022, Cori Bush advocated for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund.

2022: Secured Community Project Funding

In 2022, Cori Bush secured $750,000 in Community Project Funding for expansions to Urban League facilities and funding for other service organizations.

February 2023: Married Cortney Merritts

In February 2023, Cori Bush married Cortney Merritts, a security specialist and U.S. Army veteran.

July 18, 2023: Voted Against Resolution on Israel

On July 18, 2023, Cori Bush was one of nine progressive Democrats to vote against a congressional resolution stating that "the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state".

October 2023: Condemned Hamas's attack

In October 2023, She condemned Hamas's attack on Israel.

October 16, 2023: Introduced Ceasefire Resolution

On October 16, 2023, Cori Bush introduced a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war.

2023: Challenged for her stance on Israel

Following Cori Bush's introduction of a ceasefire resolution in 2023, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell announced his candidacy against her for the following election.