Cantor Falls to Tea Party Challenger

In a massive upset, little-known conservative activist David Brat (R) defeated House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) in his primary tonight, Roll Call reports.

National Journal: “Cantor’s defeat will send shockwaves throughout Washington. The House majority leader was one of the most well-known Republican figures in the country, reputed for his strategic acumen and political ambition. He wielded an immense amount of clout within the Capitol and was widely expected to one day seek to become the speaker of the House. His primary was never expected to be seriously competitive, and his loss is catching everyone — from veterans of Virginia politics to longtime analysts in Washington — by surprise.”

Politico: “Brat also halted one of the most meteoric rises in national politics, and his win illustrates the strong anti-incumbent fever that has taken over Cantor’s Richmond-area district.”

The Wall Street Journal said it was unclear whether Cantor “could or would run a write-in campaign in the general election.”