This is an upset, and some are even calling it for David Brat already.
I've seen enough, it's over. Sitting Majority Leader of the House, Rep. Eric Cantor (R), has lost his primary to Prof. Dave Brat (R) #VA07
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) June 10, 2014
Cantor looks cooked to me. Truly stunned. Low turnout+Immigration issue+ story of current border crisis=perfect storm for Brat
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) June 10, 2014
Cantor supposedly had the big lead.
What happened over the last few days to help Brat? Not only has Cantor supported amnesty but, in the face of the massive influx of illegal alien children, Cantor basically said, let’s open the door and welcome.
If Cantor goes down, so does immigration reform.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) June 10, 2014
If Brat pulls this out. Then the Obama admin’s last minute “dreamer” dumping may have seriously backfired on them
— Kerry Picket (@KerryPicket) June 10, 2014
UPDATE: One word. Wow.
(CBS News) – House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., was stunned Tuesday, being booted from his seat in the Republican primary by David Brat, an upstart tea party-backed economics professor.
According to the Associated Press, Brat defeated Cantor in the 7th congressional district, shocking the political establishment. While many felt Cantor would be pushed by Brat, few predicted Cantor would ultimately be toppled.
Cantor was once popular in the tea party but has now become its target, with Brat leading a chorus of critics branding the incumbent as a Beltway insider who has lost touch with his conservative base at home. Cantor – who has outspent Brat by at least 5-to-1, according to the most recent campaign finance reports – has portrayed the challenger as too liberal for Virginia and touted his own opposition to many of President Barack Obama’s policies.
Cantor’s message resonated with Ken Dawson, one of 40 people who had voted two hours after his Chesterfield County polling place opened for a light-turnout election.