Gerry Connolly

Alexandria Mayor Gaskins endorses Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett for Virginia’s open 11th Congressional District seat

Published June 26, 2025 at 10:30AM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins has endorse Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett in the dpecial election for Virginia's 11th Congressional District (via Facebook)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins has endorsed Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett in the special election for Virginia’s open 11th Congressional District seat.

There are 10 Democrats and seven Republicans vying for the seat, following the death of U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly in May. Both the 11th District Democratic Committee and the 11th Congressional District Republican Committee have chosen Saturday, June 28, as the primary date to choose their respective candidates. The special election will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Gerry Connolly, a Democratic congressman and fixture of Virginia politics, dies at 75

By Olivia Diaz | Associated Press/Report For America

Published May 21, 2025 at 9:10AM | Updated May 21, 2025 at 12:10PM

FILE - Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va. listens during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 10, 2014. Connolly, a Democratic congressman and fixture of Virginia politics, has died at age 75. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Gerald “Gerry” Connolly, an outspoken Democrat who sought key reforms in the federal government while bringing transformational development to his populous Virginia district, died Wednesday. He was 75.

Connolly, who most recently held a prominent position as the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, served in Congress for more than 16 years.

Rep. Gerry Connolly steps down as top Oversight Democrat and won’t seek reelection as cancer returns

By LEAH ASKARINAM and OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press

Published April 28, 2025 at 2:13PM | Updated April 29, 2025 at 7:58AM

FILE - Ranking member Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., speaks, April 19, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia announced on Monday he is stepping down as the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee and will not be seeking reelection next year due to his cancer returning, ending his long career in public life.

“The sun is setting on my time in public service,” Connolly said in a statement. “With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years.”