Missouri Representative Cori Bush has reinstated her husband, Cortney Merritts, on her campaign payroll as a federal investigation into her 2024 campaign finances continues. The latest entry records a payment of $2,273 to Merritts on 1 June, added to $15,000 Bush paid herself between 1 April and 29 May.
Background to the Department of Justice inquiry
The Department of Justice disclosed in January 2024 that it was examining Bush’s 2024 campaign payments to Merritts, which total more than $150,000 and were described as covering “security services” and “wage expenses”. Federal law does allow candidates to compensate spouses for legitimate campaign work, but opponents have questioned the legitimacy of the arrangement.
Bush has rejected any wrongdoing, stating the probe focuses on "campaign-related expenses.". Merritts, who was secretly married to Bush in 2023, was acquitted of federal wire‑fraud charges in February and later faced a separate indictment in March 2025 for alleged Paycheck Protection Program fraud. A jury dead‑locked at trial, leading to the case’s dismissal.
Additional payments and fundraising scrutiny
Beyond the direct campaign payments, Bush’s political action committee, Politivist Action, paid Merritts $11,000 last year. The PAC’s fundraising activities have also attracted attention, with local reporting finding no evidence that money raised for tornado‑relief efforts was distributed as promised.
When asked about the investigation, Bush avoided direct answers and her campaign has not responded to requests for comment.
Impact on the upcoming primary
Despite the legal cloud, Bush remains a competitive candidate in the August primary for the Missouri House seat she lost to Rep Wesley Bell in 2024. She is backed by Senator Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Socialists of America. In the campaign, Bush has attacked Bell over donations from groups linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Together with Rep Jamaal Bowman, she blamed AIPAC for their 2024 defeats, and vowed to "tear your kingdom down" in a post‑election speech aimed at the pro‑Israel lobby.
Further criticism has arisen over Bush’s association with a security contractor paid $137,000 by her campaign, who has promoted conspiracy theories alleging Jewish control of global systems.