Dave Brat

Dave Brat, born on July twenty-seventh, nineteen sixty-four, is an influential American politician and academic. He served as the U.S. representative for Virginia's seventh congressional district from two thousand fourteen to two thousand nineteen. A member of the Republican Party, Brat gained national attention when he defeated House majority leader Eric Cantor in the two thousand fourteen Republican primary, a remarkable feat achieved despite being significantly outspent.

Brat's victory over Cantor marked a historic moment, making him the first primary challenger to oust a sitting House Majority Leader since the position's inception in eighteen ninety-nine. Following this groundbreaking win, he successfully secured the general election in two thousand fourteen and was re-elected in two thousand sixteen. Throughout his time in Congress, Brat was recognized as a conservative Republican and was an active member of the Freedom Caucus.

After serving two terms, Brat faced a narrow defeat in his re-election bid in two thousand eighteen against Democrat Abigail Spanberger. In January two thousand nineteen, he transitioned to academia, being appointed as the dean of the Liberty University School of Business, where he continues to influence future leaders.