VIRGINIA — Jack Trammell did not become the first graduate of Grove City College to be elected to Congress.

Trammell, a Democrat, lost Tuesday in his bid to represent Virginia’s 7th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Republican David Brat won the election with 147,891 votes, 61 percent. Trammell came in second with 89,793 votes, 37 percent. Libertarian James Carr received 5,347 votes, 2 percent.

“I wish Dave and his family success in the new journey they are on,” Trammell said in a news release.

Both Brat and Trammell are professors at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va. Both men played on the same faculty basketball team and both took a leave of absence from the college while running for office.

Trammell, 50, of Mineral, Va., initially was expecting to run against Republican U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, but Cantor was unexpectedly defeated by Brat in the June Republican primary.

Trammell grew up partially in southeastern Mercer County and attended Grove City College from 1982 to 1986, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

His father and stepmother, Richard and Catherine, both were professors at the college. They live in Liberty Township, Mercer County.

During his time at the college, which in known for being conservative, Trammell was active in Democratic politics.

Despite losing Tuesday, Trammell said in his statement that he is optimistic about the district’s future. The district and the state has leaned heavily toward Republicans since the 1970s.

“We’ve gone from a Republican Primary season with no Democratic opponent, to a spirited race between the two professors that came down to Election Day and brought about a new perspective on the 7th congressional district. As I’ve often said, central Virginia is not monolithic, and it was time for a new voice,” Trammell said.

Trammell could not be reached for comment Wednesday.