Democrat Abigail Spanberger delivered a major upset Tuesday by beating incumbent Republican Rep. Dave Brat, defying the math to win a central Virginia district that went for President Trump by 7 points.
Spanberger’s win is sure to shake the Republican establishment, as a Democrat hasn’t held Virginia’s 7th Congressional District since the 1970s. Spanberger focused her campaign on healthcare, protecting pre-existing conditions, and casting herself as a candidate who would restore civility to politics and reject ideological extremes.
Spanberger hit Brat repeatedly for his votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act, while Brat tried to label Spanberger a foot soldier for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the frontrunner for sapeaker under the new Democratic House majority.
Spanberger, a former CIA operative, drew national attention as she closed in on Brat. Spanberger is among the record number of female candidates for Democrats, who mounted a formidable campaign in a district many said Democrats had no business competing in.
Brat himself rocked the GOP when he beat then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in 2014. During his two terms in the House, Brat became a thorn in the side of Republican leadership and a staunch supporter of Trump.
Spanberger’s victory in the suburban to rural district gave Democrats their 23rd pickup of the night, securing their takeover of the House.
