House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-VA) re-election campaign spent more money at steak houses than David Brat, who ended up defeating Cantor in the Republican primary, spent on his whole campaign.
NBC noted that according to FEC campaign finance reports, Cantor spent $168,637 in payments at BLT Steak and Bobby Van’s Steak House in 17 payments up to May 21.
By contrast Brat’s campaign spent $122,793 in the race.
Cantor also raised far more than Brat in the race. Cantor campaign raised $5,447,290 and spent almost as much — $5,026,626. Brat raised just $206,663.
If you are going to lose, at least serve a nice meal. That Cantor - so classy.
If Cantor was so confident in his victory, why did he feel he needed to raise $5M? Clearly he raised money just for the sake of it, and viewed it as a way to supplement his income.
While I’m glad he lost, since I can’t stand the guy, having one more bagger means we are that much closer to default the next time the debt ceiling needs to be raised.
RED.MEAT.MMMMMMmmmmmm
Its how it all works. Leadership guys have access to lots of donors, and are expected to spend it via republican consultants. That’s how you become and stay in leadership…lots of monetary favors out there.
Which is why this has never happened before. Leadership is safe because they are so well insulated with the money and favors that makes the whole party work. For someone in his position to lose to an outsider in a primary…is nearly unfathomable.
Its going to be interesting to see just how Brat ran his campaign. I am guessing at this point that it was seriously invested in shoe leather and knocking on doors…ie, ground game.
More and more the ad buying, back scratching consultant strategy that republicans love to employ are turning up zeros. Ground games with the power of micro targeting is the way to invest in a campaign.
And late night strategy meetings at Krystal’s isn’t just easier on the budget than steak house meetings…its the stuff that inspires the volunteers knocking on all those doors.
@DaveyJones64 : Great insight, thanks.
It’s possible Brat didn’t do anything and simply lucked into it if people couldn’t stand Cantor and would vote for anyone but him.