An electric motor for a blower and the like has a commutator and a brush assembly for making electrical contact with the commutator. The brush assembly includes a brush holder and a brush slidably mounted to the brush holder. The brush holder includes a brush holder plate and a side portion extending from the brush holder plate. The brush is arc-shaped and includes a first surface contacting the brush holder plate and a second surface contacting the side portion of the brush holder. The side portion of the brush holder has a number of ribs contacting the second surface of the brush.