Dave Brat: Cantor ‘has been supportive’ since primary

The man who defeated Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) in a primary upset two weeks ago says the soon-to-be former House Majority Leader “has been supportive” since the primary.

Dave Brat told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday that he has been meeting Virginia state and congressional leaders since primary night and that “Eric has been supportive in private and in public.”

Brat also said he doesn’t want to be placed in “a little cubbyhole” of being a Tea Party Republican, citing his campaign’s ability to gain broader support in the election. Brat beat Cantor 56 to 44 percent on June 10.

Cantor offered milquetoast public support for Brat following the defeat. When asked on CNN’s “State of the Union” whether he’d vote for Brat, he demurred.

“I want a Republican to hold this seat. Of course. Of course,” he said. “This is about making sure that we have a strong Republican majority in the House. I’m hopeful we’ll take it in the Senate, as well. I’m very optimistic about that.”

For now, Brat said he is busy replying to “thousands” of emails.