Political Earthquake Shocks Washington, GOA-Backed Candidate Defeats Eric Cantor

Dave Brat
Dave Brat wins Primary, defeats house majority leader Eric Cantor
Gun Owners of America
Gun Owners of America

Washington, DC –-(Ammoland.com)- Eric Cantor, the Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, went down in a stunning defeat to GOA-supported David Brat.

Cantor, who represents Virginia’s 7th District, vastly outspent Brat, an economics professor at Virginia’s Randolph-Macon College.

On Monday evening, Gun Owners of America blanketed the district with phone calls to registered voters, hitting Cantor for his recent vote to expand gun control and noting that Brat stands 100% for the right to keep and bear arms.

On Tuesday morning, political commentators predicted a landslide win for Cantor, but voters rejected his support for bigger government and, in particular, his support of amnesty for illegal aliens.

CNN Political Analyst David Gergen called it an “earthquake” that would “send shock waves through the Republican ranks.”

A Boost For The Right

Brat’s victory is another tea party blockbuster, reminiscent of its banner year in 2010 when those conservatives swept Republicans to control of the House.

Most recently, Republican candidate Chris McDaniel in Mississippi gained more votes than longtime Republican Sen. Thad Cochran and forced a runoff, which McDaniel is expected to win.

Another notable conservative takeover was in 2012 when tea party favorite Ted Cruz defeated Texas Lt. Gov David Dewhurst in the state’s Senate GOP primary. Dewhurst had support of most Texas mainstream Republicans. ‎

CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash said the outcome in Cantor’s race will reenergize the tea party fueled right and disrupt attempts to bridge gaps between arch conservatives and establishment Republicans in Congress.

It could also cloud any prospects the White House and moderates might have for any legislative gains, Bash said.

“This will throw it all up in the air,” Bash noted.

Most Republicans viewed Cantor, 51, as the most conservative member in the House leadership and a potential successor to Boehner. Two sources familiar with the thinking of House Speaker John Boehner told Bash that it is now less likely with Cantor out of the picture that he will retire.

Since the district is considered safe Republican, Brat is heavily favored to win the general election in November.

Congratulations to David Brat, and we’re thankful to the many GOA supporters who made this victory possible.  GOA was the only national gun rights organization to support Brat in this race.

 

Sincerely,

Tim Macy
Vice Chairman

Gun Owners of America
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102
Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585
FAX: 703-321-8408
www.gunowners.org

About:Gun Owners of America (GOA) is a non-profit lobbying organization formed in 1975 to preserve and defend the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. GOA sees firearms ownership as a freedom issue. `The only no comprise gun lobby in Washington’ – Ron Paul Visit: www.gunowners.org to Join.

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Bob Shell

Good for Virginia. Another RINO bites the dust. If they can’t stand up for the 2’nd then they need to have another job