(CNN) — Rep. Eric Cantor is expected to relinquish his leadership position as the No. 2 House Republican on July 31 after suffering a stunning loss in his primary race in Virginia, a senior Republican source tells CNN’s Dana Bash.
In what was described as a political “earthquake,” the No. 2 Republican in the House, Eric Cantor, lost his primary on Tuesday to a college professor and political neophyte.
With 97% of precincts reporting from the Richmond-area district, Cantor trailed Dave Brat 56% to 44%, according to the Virginia Secretary of State’s website. Turnout was low.
“This came out of nowhere,” said Mark Preston, CNN’s executive political editor, who said a defeat for Cantor would have national implications since he has been viewed as a potential speaker.
“This will be an earthquake” for Republicans, said CNN Political Analyst David Gergen. “I think this will send shockwaves through the Republican ranks.”
CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash said the outcome will reenergize the right and disrupt attempts to bridge gaps between arch conservatives and establishment Republicans in Congress.
It could also cloud any prospects the White House and moderates might have for any legislative gains, Bash said.
“This will throw it all up in the air,” Bash noted.
CNN Crossfire host Newt Gingrich credited that a large part of Cantor’s constituency in Virginia’s reliably conservative 7th Congressional District concluded that he wasn’t listening and rose up to toss him out.
Cantor, he said, had a “great record” and was a hard worker in Congress.
Brat is an economics professor at Randolph-Macon College outside Richmond.
Most Republicans view Cantor, 51, as the most conservative member in the House leadership lineup.
He was President Barack Obama’s chief foil in budget negotiations in 2011, a role he proudly points out during this campaign season.
In a phone interview with CNN on Monday, Brat argued that Cantor is more attentive to donors in New York and California and big business groups than he is to enacting an agenda based on Republican ideals.
“While he’s got an eye on the speaker job, he’s turned his back on his constituents,” Brat said.
Read more on this story from our partners at CNN.com
