Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) will move to Virginia and become a college professor following a 40-point primary loss in the 2022 midterm election cycle. 

Cheney will be professor of “practice” at the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, following the age-old paradigm that those who can't do, teach.

Center director Larry Sabato said, “Cheney serves as a model of political courage and leadership,” and that she has a “compelling message to students about integrity.”

“She’s a true profile in courage, and she was willing to pay the price for her principles — and democracy itself,” he added.

Anti-Trump virulence

Cheney was booted from office after she spent years attacking former President Donald Trump and joined the January 6 House Select Committee, which was only populated by Democrats and Trump-hating Republicans.

She voted to impeach Trump after January 6, but the Senate did not have enough votes to convict him either time.

Cheney's extremely conservative base in Wyoming did not appreciate her actions against Trump and turned on her for her actions toward Trump.

Even after Cheney knew her anti-Trumpiness would have consequences at the ballot box, she continued to be outspoken about her dislike for him, so voters had no choice but to look elsewhere.

She even lost her position as conference chair, the third most powerful Republican in the House, in March 2021 because she didn't support Trump, who was still considered the de facto leader of the Republican party.

Move to academia

Cheney appeared to welcome her new path in academia, which has traditionally been left-wing.

“I look forward to working with students and colleagues at the Center to advance the important work they and others at the University of Virginia are doing to improve the health of democracy here and around the world,” she said.

“There are many threats facing our system of government and I hope my work with the Center for Politics and the broader community at the University of Virginia will contribute to finding lasting solutions that not only preserve but strengthen our democracy,” she added.

Her contract will be through the fall 2023 semester, but could be extended.

She has said she may think about a 2024 presidential bid to challenge Trump, but that seems like a waste of time considering her dismal primary performance in 2022. Trump still seems to have the support of a majority of Republicans, although Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has begun to challenge his frontrunner status in recent polls.