The House’s Most Progressive Members Post Big Fundraising Numbers

Despite their criticism of Israel, most members of the “squad” are heading into their primaries well-funded. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush have more difficult challenges ahead.

Jamaal Bowman
Jamaal Bowman’s challenger, Westchester County executive George Latimer, has almost twice as much as Bowman currently has in the bank. John Minchillo/AP

Progressive members of the House “squad” have been able to post formidable fundraising numbers despite their criticism of Israel and well-funded primary challengers.

Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Summer Lee, Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman and Ayanna Pressley — the most progressive members in the House — had impressive first quarters, continuing a trend from last year. Ocasio-Cortez and Tlaib led the pack with $6.7 million and $6.5 million, respectively, according to campaign finance records. Omar raised $4.9 million, Bowman raised $2.7 million, Lee raised $2.3 million and Bush raised $1.6 million. Pressley, who announced her reelection campaign earlier this month, was the only outlier, taking in $855,000.

Lee’s primary on Tuesday will be the first real test of whether progressives’ stance on Gaza could ultimately be a liability.