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Small Virginia college storms D.C. politics

Dave Brat, the candidate who upset Eric Cantor in this week's Virginia GOP primary, and his Democratic opponent, Jack Trammell, have a few things in common
Battle of the professors: Virginia House candidates teach at same school 02:42

The drama over Eric Cantor's loss in the Virginia Republican primary isn't just playing out in Washington, D.C.

More than 90 miles away in Ashland, Virginia, the small Randolph-Macon College has been pushed into the national spotlight after one of its professors came up with a shocking win over Cantor, reports CBS News correspondent Jan Crawford.

"I have dedicated my entire life to teaching free market economics and ethics to college students," David Brat said in his campaign ad.

He's the economics professor who took the political establishment to school with his shocking victory over senior House Republican Cantor.

"The power belongs to the people and that's what we're going to do," Brat said in his acceptance speech.

How will Cantor’s loss affect the GOP moving forward? 03:11

Brat may have caught Washington off guard, but to the students who know him, there's no mistaking what he stands for.

"He is the biggest lover of free market economies that I've ever known," said student Mikhaila Calice.

Having slugged it out with a political Goliath, Brat will now face off against a colleague -- a fellow professor at Randolph-Macon.

Jack Trammell, the Democratic candidate, teaches Sociology and works with students with disabilities.

"He's very good at working with the college to work and fight for the needs of people on campus," said student Derek Dittmar.

But odds are, that's as far as Trammell will take the fight; this is a district that votes overwhelmingly Republican.

How did Cantor lose the primary? Bob Schieffer weighs in 04:14

A Democrat hasn't won here since 1968. Mitt Romney -- who lost the state -- carried this district with 57 percent of the vote.

Even on the Randolph-Macon campus, home to just 1,300 students, most had no idea Trammell was running, including the school's president.

"All of a sudden, in a two or three day span here, we are with two Randolph-Macon professors vying for this position," said president Robert Lindgren.

For these idealistic college students, it's also a lesson that you can fight against the machine, and win.

"I think that it brings hope that money isn't the only thing that can get you into Congress," said Calice.

"Regardless of who wins, I'm just excited to be a part of it however I can, and just witness what's going to come," added Dittmar.

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