REPLACING:

Cori Bush (D)

WORK HISTORY:

Lindenwood University; JD, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law

EDUCATION:

Velda City (Municipal Court Judge); City of Riverview (Prosecutor); Law Office of Wesley JC Bell, LLC (Attorney / Owner); St. Louis Community College (Professor/Program Coordinator); St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office (St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney) [i]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Delivering for CD-01; Common Sense Gun Reform and Public Safety; Choice; Foreign Policy; Environmental Justice; Healthcare; Protecting our Democracy and Safeguarding Voting Rights; Education; LGBTQ+; Immigration

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

During the campaign, Bell pledged to “always fight for women’s rights to access safe and legal reproductive health care, including abortion and birth control,” and he said that he will support legislation “to codify the central components of Roe v. Wade into law to protect a woman's fundamental right to reproductive freedom.” [ii]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

According to his campaign website, Bell believes the St. Louis region has “been enriched and strengthened by generations of immigrants choosing to start new lives in our community.” He called for “comprehensive immigration reform that addresses current challenges and prepares for the future as well,” including a system that “ensures safety and security at the border, while also treating people with dignity and respect, and honoring the rights of asylum seekers.” He supports a pathway to citizenship for those “who are already here, working hard, and paying taxes,” but warned that we also must be protected “from MS-13 gang members, drug traffickers, and terrorists.” Bell is also in favor of guaranteeing “adequate funding” for the Department of Homeland Security. [iii]

ECONOMY & JOBS:

Bell supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law “and what it provides for our community.” He is in favor of union laborers and has expressed concerns regarding inflation. [iv] [v]

TAXES:

As a candidate, Bell stated that he is in favor of the Child Tax Credit. [vi]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

A proponent of criminal justice reform, Bell has said that he would have appointed a special prosecutor in the murder of Michael Brown. As a county prosecutor, Bell reportedly sent 2,500 nonviolent offenders to substance abuse and mental health programs.[vii] He also supports investing in community programs for at-risk residents, as well as implementing violence reduction strategies. [viii]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

Bell has argued that climate change is “a crisis” and has warned, “the effects of climate change are already making an impact on our way of life and the safety of vulnerable communities.” He promised to “continue to work with” climate advocacy groups “to ensure the removal and cleanup of radioactive waste near Westlake Landfill and along Coldwater Creek in North St. Louis County.” He has also noted that climate change reform must be done in a way “that grows the economy and creates jobs at the same time.” [ix]

FOREIGN POLICY:

As a candidate, Bell stressed the importance of the U.S.’ “steadfast relationships with global allies,” calling these relationships “essential to our national security and prosperity.” He expressed support for Ukraine, stating that it “continues to resist the illegal invasion of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.” Bell also said he is in favor of the United States’ relationship with Israel – calling the country “the only democracy and strongest American ally in the Middle East” – and argued, “I believe Israel has the right to defend itself and go after those who perpetrated those attacks.” He pledged, “In Congress, I’ll fight to make sure the United States remains Israel’s strongest ally.” [x]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

During the campaign, Bell argued, “Everyone should be able to have access to quality, affordable health care.” He called for strengthening and expanding healthcare coverage, lowering costs, bolstering “access to insurance,” and making “it easier to hire the best doctors and nurses.” [xi]

DEMOCRACY:

A priority of Bell’s campaign, he stressed on the trail that “the system of democracy we have is one that needs to be protected and upheld to make sure that every vote is counted, and every voice is heard.” He promised to be committed to “removing unnecessarily restrictive barriers that stand between voters and the ballot box,” and he also pledged to “work to increase voter registration and education so that all Americans can exercise this fundamental right.” [xii]

SOCIAL ISSUES:

According to his campaign website, Bell believes that every person “should have the right to marry the person they love and build their own families in safe communities.” He called himself an “ally for our LGBTQ community” and argued that children have “the right to play, learn and grow up without facing hate and discrimination for who they are.” [xiii]