The Associated Press
After U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor’s surprising loss in the Virginia Republican primary Tuesday night to David Brat, here are some of the other major Congressional upsets that have caught observers off guard.
–2010: BROWN OVER COAKLEY
Republican Scott Brown shocked Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley in a special election to fill the late Sen. Ted Kennedy’s seat. The upset ended the Democrats’ super majority in the Senate.
–2006, WEBB OVER ALLEN
Sen. George Allen was considered a potential 2008 presidential candidate, but instead lost to former Navy Secretary Jim Webb in the Virginia senate race. Allen lost by less than 10,000 votes and didn’t concede until two days later.
–2006, LOEBSACK OVER LEACH
Fifteen-term incumbent Jim Leach was beaten by Dave Loebsack in the Iowa U.S. House race. Like Brat, Loebsack was a college professor.
–1991, WOFFORD OVER THORNBURGH
Harris Wofford came from more than 40 points behind to defeat former Pennsylvania Gov. Dick Thornburgh to hold onto a senate seat he was appointed to after the death of Sen. John Heinz in a plane crash.
–1972, HOLTZMAN OVER CELLER
New York district attorney Elizabeth Holtzman upset 50-year incumbent Emanuel Cellar, then chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and the House’s longest serving member.
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