House Majority Leader Eric Cantor defeated by conservative challenger
VA-7: In a huge upset yesterday, Randolph-Macon economics Professor David Brat defeated GOP House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, 56% to 44%. Turnout in the 7th district was low, around 12%. Though Brat was Cantor's most serious opponent in over a decade, Cantor was expected to easily defeat him on Tuesday, according to the polls. Cantor did not take this challenge lightly; attacking Brat after his candidacy was announced. With low campaign funds, Brat relied on conservative activists such as radio talk show host Laura Ingraham to get out his message and attack Cantor on voting to end the government shutdown, raising the debt ceiling and, especially, his support for immigration reform. Brat faces Democratic nominee Jack Trammell, who is also a professor at Randolph-Macon College, in the general. This is a conservative district, but depending on the quality of the candidates, could become a race to watch.
The results for the remainder of Tuesday's primaries are below.
BIPAC Endorsed Candidate Results
House
ME-2: Rep. Mike Michaud (D) is running for Governor, which set up competitive primaries for the Democrats and Republicans in the 2nd district. The Democratic primary was a fight between a progressive rising star, state Sen. Emily Cain and a socially conservative, pro-union candidate, state Sen. Troy Jackson. Cain had a slight edge going into the primary and won with over 70% of the vote. On the Republican side, BIPAC endorsed candidate Kevin Raye, a businessman-state Senator and former state Treasurer Bruce Poliquin faced off for the nomination. Poliquin won with 56% of the vote. This blue collar district has a slight Democratic edge, but it still expected to be competitive in the general.
Nevada
House
NV-3: Democratic National Committeewoman and political consultant Erin Bilbray (D) is now the official nominee to take on Rep. Joe Heck (R) in the general election. This will be Nevada's closest watched race in 2014, though Heck is currently favored.
NV-4: Assemblyman Cresent Hardy won the Republican nomination in the district. The 4th district has the potential to become competitive, if the political environment continues to trend in the Republican's favor, but for now Rep. Steven Horsford (D) is sitting comfortably.
North Dakota
House
At-large: Rep. Kevin Cramer (R) had no primary opposition and his at-large seat is safe in the general.
South Carolina
Senate
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) was able to avoid a runoff yesterday, receiving over 50% of the vote. Graham was an early target for Tea Party groups because of his support of issues such as immigration reform. While he faced six challengers in the Republican primary, none of them were able to gain traction or raise the funds necessary to take on Graham. Graham also had the support of establishment Republican groups, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Graham is not expected to have a tough general election race.
House
There are no competitive primaries or general elections in the Congressional delegation.
Virginia
Senate
Ed Gillespie, former Republican National Committee chairman and lobbyist, won the Republican Senate nomination this past Saturday at a party convention. Gillespie was the most credible Republican challenger to Sen. Mark Warner (D), though he still has a long way to go to make this race competitive. His fundraising numbers have been impressive, but polling still gives the advantage to Warner.
House
VA-8: With Rep. Jim Moran (D) retiring, seven Democrats were vying for the nomination in this safe Democrat seat. BIPAC endorsed candidate Don Beyer, a former Lieutenant Governor and car dealership owner, won the nomination with 46% of the vote. Beyer had been the frontrunner in the race since he entered and is favored to be the next Congressman from the 8th district.
VA 10: The nominees for the open seat due to Rep. Frank Wolf's (R) retirement were decided back in March and April. BIPAC endorsed candidate, state Delegate Barbara Comstock won the Republican nomination in a firehouse primary, beating back conservative firebrand, state Delegate Bob Marshall. Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust became the official Democratic nominee in March when he was the only candidate to file. This will be a competitive general election and one that the business community should pay attention to.
VA-7: In a huge upset yesterday, Randolph-Macon economics Professor David Brat defeated GOP House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, 56% to 44%. Turnout in the 7th district was low, around 12%. Though Brat was Cantor's most serious opponent in over a decade, Cantor was expected to easily defeat him on Tuesday, according to the polls. Cantor did not take this challenge lightly; attacking Brat after his candidacy was announced. With low campaign funds, Brat relied on conservative activists such as radio talk show host Laura Ingraham to get out his message and attack Cantor on voting to end the government shutdown, raising the debt ceiling and, especially, his support for immigration reform. Brat faces Democratic nominee Jack Trammell, who is also a professor at Randolph-Macon College, in the general. This is a conservative district, but depending on the quality of the candidates, could become a race to watch.
The results for the remainder of Tuesday's primaries are below.
BIPAC Endorsed Candidate Results
- ME- 2: Kevin Raye: Lost Primary
- VA-8: Don Beyer: Won Primary
- VA-10: Barbara Comstock: Won Firehouse Primary (April)
House
ME-2: Rep. Mike Michaud (D) is running for Governor, which set up competitive primaries for the Democrats and Republicans in the 2nd district. The Democratic primary was a fight between a progressive rising star, state Sen. Emily Cain and a socially conservative, pro-union candidate, state Sen. Troy Jackson. Cain had a slight edge going into the primary and won with over 70% of the vote. On the Republican side, BIPAC endorsed candidate Kevin Raye, a businessman-state Senator and former state Treasurer Bruce Poliquin faced off for the nomination. Poliquin won with 56% of the vote. This blue collar district has a slight Democratic edge, but it still expected to be competitive in the general.
Nevada
House
NV-3: Democratic National Committeewoman and political consultant Erin Bilbray (D) is now the official nominee to take on Rep. Joe Heck (R) in the general election. This will be Nevada's closest watched race in 2014, though Heck is currently favored.
NV-4: Assemblyman Cresent Hardy won the Republican nomination in the district. The 4th district has the potential to become competitive, if the political environment continues to trend in the Republican's favor, but for now Rep. Steven Horsford (D) is sitting comfortably.
North Dakota
House
At-large: Rep. Kevin Cramer (R) had no primary opposition and his at-large seat is safe in the general.
South Carolina
Senate
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) was able to avoid a runoff yesterday, receiving over 50% of the vote. Graham was an early target for Tea Party groups because of his support of issues such as immigration reform. While he faced six challengers in the Republican primary, none of them were able to gain traction or raise the funds necessary to take on Graham. Graham also had the support of establishment Republican groups, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Graham is not expected to have a tough general election race.
House
There are no competitive primaries or general elections in the Congressional delegation.
Virginia
Senate
Ed Gillespie, former Republican National Committee chairman and lobbyist, won the Republican Senate nomination this past Saturday at a party convention. Gillespie was the most credible Republican challenger to Sen. Mark Warner (D), though he still has a long way to go to make this race competitive. His fundraising numbers have been impressive, but polling still gives the advantage to Warner.
House
VA-8: With Rep. Jim Moran (D) retiring, seven Democrats were vying for the nomination in this safe Democrat seat. BIPAC endorsed candidate Don Beyer, a former Lieutenant Governor and car dealership owner, won the nomination with 46% of the vote. Beyer had been the frontrunner in the race since he entered and is favored to be the next Congressman from the 8th district.
VA 10: The nominees for the open seat due to Rep. Frank Wolf's (R) retirement were decided back in March and April. BIPAC endorsed candidate, state Delegate Barbara Comstock won the Republican nomination in a firehouse primary, beating back conservative firebrand, state Delegate Bob Marshall. Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust became the official Democratic nominee in March when he was the only candidate to file. This will be a competitive general election and one that the business community should pay attention to.
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