Dave Brat shakes up campaign a month after topping Eric Cantor in GOP primary

Economics professor Dave Brat, who bested House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a GOP primary a month ago in Virginia’s 7th congressional district, has hired his third campaign manager of the race.

Mr. Brat announced that Phil Rapp, an aide to state Sen. Bill Stanley, Franklin Republican, will be the campaign’s manager heading to the fall after Amanda Chase, a former Cantor staffer, ran things during the transition from the primary to the general election.

“As a long-time friend, Amanda really stepped up and helped me when I needed her most — coming in as my transition campaign manager until we could put our full team together,” Mr. Brat said in a statement. “I understand she needs to return to her business and other pursuits, and I will always be grateful for her service.”

Mr. Rapp was a senior adviser and volunteer coordinator during the primary. Ms. Chase had replaced Zachary Werrell, who was Mr. Brat’s campaign manager during the primary.

Mr. Brat has tried to keep a relatively low profile since he shocked the political world on June 10 with a double-digit victory over Mr. Cantor, who is relinquishing his majority leader post at the end of the month to Majority Leader-elect Kevin McCarthy, California Republican.

Nevertheless, he is still the odds-on favorite to win the general election in the GOP-leaning district that meanders from Richmond to the Shenandoah Valley. For their part, Democrats have nominated Jack Trammell who, like Mr. Brat, is a professor at Randolph-Macon College north of Richmond.

The Brat campaign also announced it is bringing on Tim Edson as a general consultant. Mr. Edson was the campaign manager for former Florida congressman Allen West’s unsuccessful 2012 re-election campaign. He also managed the campaign of Republican Keith Fimian in 2010, when he lost in Virginia’s 11th congressional district race, as well as Susan Stimpson’s unsuccessful 2013 campaign for lieutenant governor.