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Virginia Politics

In a huge upset, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor will lose the Republican primary in Virginia's 7th District to conservative challenger David Brat, CNN projects.

Brat, an economics professor at Randolph-Macon College outside Richmond, challenged Cantor, the No. 2 Republican in the House, because he said Cantor had abandoned his conservative principles. Ref. CNN

Politics Virginia

Ed Gillespie was expected to hold onto a narrow lead to win the Republican nomination for Virginia governor in his party's primary election, CNN projected.

On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam is on track to win the nomination for Virginia governor, CNN has projected.

Gillespie's tight victory over Prince William County Board of Supervisors chair Corey Stewart came as a major surprise. Observers initially expected it to be an easy win for Gillespie, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee. Frank Wagner, a senator in the commonwealth's legislature, trailed in third place.

Meanwhile, Northam's win capped off fierce competition on the Democratic side, where he faced off against former congressman Tom Perriello. And turnout in the Democratic primary far outpaced the Republican side.

In a statement congratulating Northam, outgoing Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe linked the Republican field to President Donald Trump.

Tuesday's elections marked the first time both parties held contests on the same day in the commonwealth's history. Ref. CNN.

Virginia Politics History & Civil Business Politics

Yeah, in the current environment I think it's going to be very difficult for the Republicans to win this election. President Trump is not well loved here. Some of this antipathy is for good reason and some not. I don't like the reason when it's simply, so and so channel or actor said this so he must be bad. Learn, and then make an informed decision. And then perhaps we'll even learn enough to realize there is truth on both sides of the aisle.

Politics Virginia

Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump: The bitterly tight race for the Virginia governor's mansion is in many ways a referendum on the president - except this year it depends on which president you're talking about. Ref. USAToday.