Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, said Brat’s victory will likely mean more primary challengers next year than there have been in previous cycles. But Farnsworth added that incumbents hold several advantages and the chances of a challenger winning will remain low.
“Congressman Brat has given encouragement to every David out there who imagines they can beat a Goliath,” he said. “That being said, more often than not, these challenges don’t get very far.”
