Dave Brat
Dave Brat | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2015 | |
| United States Ambassador to Australia | |
Nominee | |
| Assuming office TBD | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Succeeding | Caroline Kennedy |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 7th district | |
| In office November 4, 2014 – January 3, 2019[a] | |
| Preceded by | Eric Cantor |
| Succeeded by | Abigail Spanberger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Alan Brat July 27, 1964 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Laura Sonderman (m. 1996) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Hope College (BA) Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv) American University (PhD) |
David Alan Brat (born July 27, 1964) is an American politician and businessman. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 7th congressional district from 2014 to 2019.
Brat became known when he beat House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the district's 2014 Republican primary.[2] Brat's primary victory over Cantor made him the first primary challenger to beat a sitting House Majority Leader.[3]
Brat lost his reelection bid in 2018 to Democrat Abigail Spanberger.
In April 2026, Brat was nominated as the U.S. Ambassador to Australia by President Donald Trump.[4]
References
- ↑ "House Vacancies and Successors – 113th Congress (2013–2015)". Historian of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ "House Majority Leader Eric Cantor loses GOP primary to tea-party challenger". Dallas Morning News. Associated Press. June 10, 2014. Archived from the original on June 12, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- ↑ Eric Linton (June 10, 2014). "House Majority Leader Eric Cantor Defeated By Tea Party Challenger David Brat In Virginia GOP Primary". International Business Times. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- ↑ Boscaini, Joshua (2026-04-28). "Former Republican congressman nominated as US ambassador to Australia". ABC news. Retrieved April 27, 2026.