Cori Bush (born 21 July 1976, Age: 47 years old) is a name that has been making headlines in the American political scene since 2020 when she pulled off a stunning upset against a 10-term incumbent in the Democratic primary for Missouri’s 1st congressional district. She went on to win the general election and became the first Black woman to represent Missouri in the U.S. House of Representatives.
But who is Cori Bush, and what is her story? Here are some facts and details about the life and career of the nurse, pastor, activist, and lawmaker who is part of the progressive faction known as “the Squad”.
Early Life and Education
Cori Anika Bush was born on July 21, 1976, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Errol Bush and Barbara Blakney. Her father was an alderman and former mayor of Northwoods, Missouri, and her mother was a computer analyst. She graduated from Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School in 1994 and attended Harris-Stowe State University for one year (1995-1996).
She then worked as a preschool teacher and assistant director until 2001, when she became ill while pregnant with her second child. She and her then-husband were evicted from their home and lived in their car with their two children for several months.
Bush decided to pursue a career in nursing and earned a diploma from the Lutheran School of Nursing in 2008. She worked as a registered nurse in various settings, including a hospital, a mental health facility, and a school. She also served as a pastor at Kingdom Embassy International Church from 2011 to 2014.
Cori Bush Wiki/Bio
| Name | Cori Anika Bush |
| Date of Birth | July 21, 1976 |
| Place of Birth | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Age | 47 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Education | Harris-Stowe State University, Lutheran School of Nursing |
| Occupation | Politician, nurse, pastor, activist |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Other Affiliations | Democratic Socialists of America, The Squad |
| Office | U.S. Representative for Missouri’s 1st congressional district |
| Term | Since January 3, 2021 |
| Predecessor | Lacy Clay |
| Spouse | Cortney Merritts (m. 2023) |
| Children | Two |
| Books | The Forerunner: A Story of Pain and Perseverance in America |
| Net Worth | $1 million (estimated) |
| Awards | Women of Courage Award, Deluxe Magazine Power Award, Community Activist Award |
| Social Media Links | Instagram: coribush Youtube: @CoriBushForCongress Twitter: CoriBush Facebook: RepCori Wikipedia: Cori_Bush |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Activism and Political Career
Bush became a political activist in 2014, following the shooting of Michael Brown Jr. by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. She joined the protests and demonstrations that erupted in the city and across the nation, demanding justice and accountability for the killing of unarmed Black people by law enforcement. She worked as a triage nurse and organizer during the Ferguson unrest and became a prominent voice in the Black Lives Matter movement. She also became a Nonviolence 365 Ambassador with the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, a program that trains and educates people on the principles and practices of nonviolence.
Bush ran for office for the first time in 2016, when she challenged Jason Kander in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Missouri. She lost the primary but gained national attention and recognition for her grassroots campaign. She was featured in the 2019 Netflix documentary Knock Down the House, which followed her and three other progressive women candidates who ran for Congress in 2018. Bush ran again for Missouri’s 1st congressional district in 2018, challenging the incumbent Lacy Clay, who had held the seat since 2001 and whose father had held it before him since 1969. She lost the primary by a narrow margin but did not give up on her political aspirations.
In 2020, Bush ran for the third time for the same seat, and this time, she defeated Clay in a historic upset, ending a 52-year dynasty of the Clay family in the district. She won the general election in November 2020, becoming the first Black woman and the first nurse to represent Missouri in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was sworn in on January 3, 2021, and joined the progressive group of lawmakers known as “the Squad”, along with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, and Jamaal Bowman.
As a congresswoman, Bush has been a vocal advocate for racial justice, health care, environmental justice, and economic justice. She serves on the House Oversight Committee and the House Judiciary Committee and has introduced and co-sponsored several bills and resolutions on various issues, such as police reform, voting rights, reproductive rights, immigration, and COVID-19 relief. She has also been outspoken about the threats and harassment she has faced as a Black woman in Congress and has used her platform to amplify the voices and stories of marginalized and oppressed communities.
Personal Life, Spouse & Kids
Bush married Cortney Merritts, a security guard who worked on her campaign, in February 2023. She has two children from her previous marriage, a son and a daughter. She is a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, and COVID-19. She is also the author of a book titled The Forerunner: A Story of Pain and Perseverance in America, which chronicles her personal and political journey.
Net Worth
According to various sources, Bush has a net worth of around $1 million as of 2023. She earns an annual salary of $174,000 as a member of Congress. She has also received donations and endorsements from various organizations and individuals, such as Justice Democrats, Sunrise Movement, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren.
Physical Stats
According to various sources, Cori Bush has a height of 5 feet 6 inches and she weighs around 68 kg. She has a pair of beautiful brown eyes and black hair color.
Controversies
Cori Bush has faced some controversies during her political career, especially regarding her security spending and her stance on defunding the police. Some of the notable controversies are:
- In January 2024, the Department of Justice reportedly launched an investigation into Bush for allegedly misusing campaign money to pay for private security services, including hiring her now-husband Cortney Merritts as her security guard. Bush denied any wrongdoing and said she was fully cooperating with the investigation.
- In August 2021, Bush was criticized by some Republicans for spending nearly $70,000 on private security while advocating for defunding the police. Bush defended her security expenses, saying that she had received death threats and that she would not let anyone take away her right to protect herself.
- In May 2021, Bush sparked controversy when she tweeted “a defund the police world” in response to a news report about a shooting in Times Square. She later clarified that she meant a world where people did not have to resort to violence and where communities had the resources they needed to thrive.
Nationality, Ethnicity, and Religion
Cori Bush is an American citizen by birth. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 21, 1976. She belongs to the African-American ethnic group and identifies as a Black woman. She follows the Christian religion and has served as a pastor at Kingdom Embassy International Church.
Cori Bush is a remarkable woman who has overcome many challenges and obstacles in her life and has risen to become a leader and a changemaker in American politics. She is a trailblazer who has made history as the first Black woman to represent Missouri in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a passionate and courageous advocate for the people and the causes she believes in, and she is not afraid to speak her truth and stand up for what is right. She is an inspiration and a role model for many, especially for young women and girls of color who aspire to make a difference in the world.
