Top House Democrat

Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly has died at the age of 75 after battling esophageal cancer.

Connolly died at his home in Northern Virginia on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, according to a statement from his family.

He represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District and had served in the U.S. House since 2009. At the time of his death, he was the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Connolly announced in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. In April 2025, he said the cancer had returned and that he would not seek re-election.

Before entering Congress, Connolly spent years in local government in Fairfax County. He served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and later became its chairman.

During his career, he was known for his work on federal worker issues, government accountability, environmental protection, and Northern Virginia transportation projects.

Democratic and Republican leaders offered condolences after his death, praising his decades of public service.

His passing created a vacancy in Virginia’s 11th District and marked another loss for House Democrats during a closely divided Congress.