photo of a woman smiling in a black blazer with a white dress shirt.

We are proud to endorse Cori Bush for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. As a dedicated champion for working-class communities, a nurse, and a fierce advocate for social justice, Bush has consistently stood alongside veterans in the fight to protect American democracy and reallocate federal resources toward urgent human needs.

“Cori Bush embodies the exact kind of courageous leadership that veterans and military families want to see in Washington,” said Jose Vasquez, Executive Director of Common Defense. “From her roots as a frontline nurse and community organizer to her time in Congress, she has never backed down from fighting for the health, safety, and dignity of everyday people. She understands that true security isn’t achieved through endless foreign conflicts or over-inflated Pentagon budgets, but by investing directly in our neighborhoods. We are honored to stand with her as she campaigns to return to Congress and continue this vital work.”

Throughout her legislative career, Bush has been a leading progressive voice against systemic inequality and the endless expansion of the military-industrial complex. She has consistently fought to protect voting rights – co-leading critical legislation like the IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act to expand ballot access – while pushing to redirect waste from the defense budget toward healthcare, affordable housing, and climate action.

“Our movement of veterans is proud to endorse Cori Bush because she has proven herself to be an unwavering ally in the struggle for a more equitable democracy,” said Naveed Shah, Political Director of Common Defense. “She has consistently challenged the status quo, demanding accountability from corporate war profiteers and advocating for policies that treat healthcare, clean energy, and voting access as fundamental human rights. Cori knows that national strength requires protecting the vulnerable at home rather than funding endless wars abroad. We look forward to mobilizing our grassroots network in St. Louis to help carry her to victory.”