Cori Bush Gets Hitched in Private

The progressive congresswoman married Cortney Merritts in St. Louis in February

Written by ROSALIND EARLY

U.S. Representative Cori Bush got married earlier this month in a private ceremony in St. Louis. The progressive Democrat signed a marriage license with the St. Louis Recorder of Deeds on February 11 before she wed in a private ceremony.

Bush’s chief of staff, Abbas Alawieh, released a statement last night about the nuptials.

“With heartfelt congratulations, I am happy to confirm that Congresswoman Cori Bush married the love of her life, Cortney Merritts, this month. Mr. Merritts, a veteran of the U.S. Army and a

Gardner a third time.

Gardner replied that she wasn’t going to speak to what the mayor said, but that the people would have their chance to make their voices heard at the next election.

“While it is true my office could have done more, to say we did nothing is not only disingenuous but it’s willfully ignorant of the reality of our court system,” Gardner said.

Gardner ended her remarks by saying that the myriad efforts in Jefferson City to remove her from office were akin to voter suppression.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a quo warranto action seeking to remove Gardner from office.

If Gardner resigns or is removed from office, Governor Mike Parson, a Republican, would choose her successor.

After Gardner’s remarks, a brief chant of “No Justice, No Peace” went out among her supporters.

Former prosecutor and noted defense attorney Jerryl Christmas shouted to the crowd through a bullhorn: “Only judges can set a bond and revoke bond. Only judges can set a bond and revoke bond.” n security professional, has been Congresswoman Bush’s partner since before her Congressional tenure and is not employed by her Congressional office. Our team has come to know and appreciate Mr. Merritts as a loving and caring Congressional spouse.”

Merritts previously worked for Bush’s campaign as a security guard.

According to social media posts that have since been taken down, Merritts and Bush have known each other since at least 2021, when he was seen at her inauguration. He also accompanied her on several other trips, including to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, where she appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Merritts was then hired in 2022 and paid $62,359 in direct payments, with more than $2,000 of that consisting of cash reimbursements, according to campaign finance records. It is illegal to use campaign funds for personal use, but family and friends can earn money from a campaign if they are providing a “bona fide service,” according to election commission rules.

House ethics rules also prohibit a con-

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Win Free Rent on Cherokee Street

The Cherokee Street Community Improvement District is offering one business six months of free rent

Written by SARAH FENSKE

Retail or experiential businesses longing for a space of their own might want to take a look at Cherokee Street — where the Cherokee Street Community Improvement District will choose one lucky company to take up residence for free.

The offer is good for six months, no strings attached and no obligation for further payments unless the business chooses to stay on site after that. And it comes in a high-profile storefront, 2616 Cherokee, on the first block of Cherokee west of Jefferson in Gravois Park.

For decades, the 4,000-square-foot building was home to Rent One. In

Cori Bush

Continued from pg 11 gressperson from purchasing goods and services from a family member unless there is a “bona fide need” and the campaign doesn’t pay more than fair market value.

Security has been a flashpoint for Bush ever since her campaign started spending more on it in mid-2020. Bush advocates for defunding the police, but, conservatives point out, she has spent more than $600,000 on security for herself. Her office says the expense is

March 2022, the vacant space was acquired by South Side Spaces, which has renovated numerous historic spaces in and around Cherokee, including what is now the co-working space Nebula.

South Side Spaces is dividing the building to include three storefronts and six residential spaces. It’s now offering up the center storefront, which clocks in at 900 square feet.

“We’re looking to give a leg up for a new business that will complement the eclectic mix of existing businesses on Cherokee Street,” owner Jason Deem says in a statement. “This program is a continuation of our commitment to fostering an environment that is conducive to unique, locally owned, independent businesses — and resistant to uses that are predatory, corporate or unoriginal. This project is a great example of that commitment, as one predatory rent-toown chain gives way to three new storefronts and six residential spaces.”

South Side Spaces intends to give preference to businesses opening their first brick-and-mortar location. Applications are currently open and will close on March 31. A winner will be chosen by the neighborhood community improvement district in April.

See southsidespaces.com/contest for more info. n required, due to violent threats.

The statement from Bush’s office concludes: “Those who know the Congresswoman personally and have followed her inspiring story know that she is a survivor of multiple forms of violence, including intimate partner violence. That she has married someone who supports her in all that she does, including as Representative of the incredible people of St. Louis, is cause for great celebration.

“Our team hopes that everyone will join us in celebrating the Congresswoman during this joyous time while respecting her privacy as she and her husband begin this new chapter together.”