Wesley Bell (MO-0001)

Wesley Bell is a Democrat representing Missouri's 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving since January 3, 2025, in the 119th Congress. Born on November 5, 1974, in North St. Louis County, Missouri, he was raised in a union household by a police officer father and a county civil servant mother, fostering his commitment to public service. Notable achievements include defeating longtime incumbent Wesley Bell in 2018 to become the first Black St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, where he established a violent crimes unit, domestic violence unit, auto theft task force, and expanded diversion programs for non-violent offenders with mental health and substance abuse issues, achieving nearly 90% success rates. As Ferguson City Council member , he led police and court reforms post-2014 unrest, implementing body cameras, enhanced training, use-of-force policies, and court overhauls. He supports Israel's right to defend itself, affordable healthcare expansion, abortion access, and community policing models like the North County Police Cooperative.

Education and Political Experience

Education: Graduated from Hazelwood East High School ; attended St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley; B.A. from Lindenwood University ; J.D. from University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law; criminology faculty at St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley .

Political Experience: Public defender in St. Louis; municipal judge in Velda City and prosecutor in Riverview; Ferguson City Council ; St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney ; U.S. Representative for MO-1 , elected in 2024 with 75.9% of the vote after a primary focused on foreign policy differences.