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Democrat Abigail Spanberger Ousts Trump Ally Dave Brat in Virginia

Despite a last-minute endorsement from Trump for Brat, a rising conservative star.

Democratic newcomer Abigail Spanberger ousted incumbent Republican Rep. Dave Brat in Virginia’s 7th congressional district election on Tuesday night despite Brat’s last-minute endorsement from President Trump. Spanberger, a former CIA operative, claimed 50 percent of the vote to Brat’s 49 percent, dealing a major blow to the rising conservative star just four years after he dethroned Eric Cantor in the GOP primary and took a foothold in the Trump-friendly House Freedom Caucus. Spanberger’s campaign made headlines just days before the election after the conservative group Project Veritas reportedly infiltrated it in a bid to undermine Spanberger in the tight race. Spanberger’s security clearance was also reportedly leaked by a Republican super PAC during her campaign. Spanberger said she believed the group wanted to undermine her by spinning the fact that she had previously taught at a private school funded by Saudi Arabia.

‘COIN FLIP’

Dave Brat Is Confident He’s Not Going to Be 2018’s Upset

Betsy Swan