Democratic and Republican lawmakers bid adieu to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) on Twitter after his unexpected primary upset on Tuesday night.
Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas), a conservative member of the party, was the first lawmaker to tweet about the loss and claimed it was a result of Cantor abandoning GOP principles.
Stockman lost his primary challenge this year to incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Cantor was defeated by Tea Party-backed David Brat.
Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) was the first congressional Democrat to react to the news on Twitter.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) indicated Tuesday’s night’s outcomes were based on immigration reform stances. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a proponent of reform, won his primary and avoided a runoff. Cantor, meanwhile, had delivered mixed messages about his position on the issue.
Many predict prospects for reform are dead now that Cantor has lost. He had helped author legislation, similar to the DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for children who came to the U.S. illegally.
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), an immigration reform opponent, said Virginia voters rejected Cantor’s support for amnesty.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said Cantor’s loss proves the Republican party is sharply divided.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) suggested Cantor would not have lost if Virginia’s primary system mirrored that in California, where the top two winners advance to the general election.
The stunning loss sent Twitter abuzz with shock and analysis, and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) inserted some sarcasm on his feed.
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) suggested the Tea Party is overtaking Republicans.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) said she was proud to serve with Cantor, and worked closely with him on issues including Israel. Cantor is the only Jewish Republican in Congress.