Dave Brat

David Alan Brat (born July 27, 1964) is an American politician and educator who represented Virginia's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House from 2014 until 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Brat gained significant attention when he unseated House Majority Leader Eric Cantor during the 2014 Republican primary, marking a historic moment as he became the first challenger to successfully oust a sitting Majority Leader since the position's inception in 1899. His victory was propelled by strong backing from the Tea Party movement. Following his primary success, Brat won the general election that same year and secured re-election in 2016.

Throughout his time in Congress, Brat was recognized for his conservative stances and was an active member of the House Freedom Caucus. However, he faced a setback in 2018 when he was defeated by Democrat Abigail Spanberger in a closely contested election.

In January 2019, Brat transitioned from politics to academia, taking on the role of dean at the Liberty University School of Business, where he continues to influence the next generation of leaders. His career has been marked by his commitment to conservative principles and his ability to challenge established political figures.