the tea party fielded a number of anti-establishment candidates in the 2014 republican primaries, but scored very few notable wins. however, they managed to unseat house majority leader eric cantor in his virginia primary race. gop attacks on obama's unpopular administration resonated with voters and the party posted major gains around the country. they regained control of the senate and increased their majorities in the house to the highest total since 1929. they took control of governorships, state legislatures and senate seats in nearly all southern states, except florida and virginia.