Meet Dave Brat: The Man Who Toppled House Majority Leader Eric Cantor

A little known economics professor, Dave Brat, toppled House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) in the Virginia Republican primary election today by more than ten percentage points, sending shock waves throughout the Republican Party establishment. Brat had support from Tea Party activists. His message, however, focused primarily on economic and not social issues. Cantor even cast Brat as a "liberal hack." He's not a crazy, but I'm sure moderate Republicans and Democrats will begin an effort to prove otherwise starting tonight. Cantor spent more than $5 million on his primary campaign and had additional support from Super PACs, while Brat struggled to raise $200,000 for the race. Cantor was clearly stunned by tonight's defeat. His campaign had expected to win at least 60% of the vote in the Richmond area district that he had long represented. Cantor is only the second incumbent congressman to lose a primary election this year. Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX), who is 91 years old, lost a close race to a former U.S. Attorney, John Ratcliffe, who also enjoyed support from Tea Party activists.