Rep. Gerry Connolly, a Democratic congressman from Virginia, passed away on May 21, 2025, at the age of 75, following a battle with esophageal cancer. He died at his home in Fairfax County, surrounded by family .People.com+6The Washington Post+6AP News+6People.com+5The US Sun+5The Washington Post+5

Connolly had represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District since 2009, succeeding Republican Tom Davis. Before his tenure in Congress, he served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for 14 years, where he was known for his work on transportation and infrastructure projects. In April 2025, he announced that he would not seek reelection in 2026 due to his health condition and stepped down from his role as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee .Wikipedia+1The US Sun+1Wikipedia+3The US Sun+3People.com+3

His death marks the third House Democrat to die since March 2025, following the deaths of Texas Rep. Sylvester Turner and Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva, both also from cancer-related complications .People.com+1Wikipedia+1

Connolly is survived by his wife, Catherine, and daughter, Caitlin. A special election to fill his seat is expected to be held later this year. Potential candidates for the Democratic nomination include Candice Bennett, a member of the Fairfax County Planning Commission; Stella Pekarsky, a state senator; and James Walkinshaw, a Fairfax County supervisor and Connolly’s former chief of staff .The Washington Post+2The US Sun+2People.com+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2The Washington Post+2The Washington Post+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2

Connolly’s legacy includes significant contributions to federal workforce protections, postal service reforms, and infrastructure development in Northern Virginia. He was widely regarded as a dedicated and effective public servant, and tributes from colleagues and public officials highlighted his passion, wit, and unwavering commitment to his constituents .Wikipedia+2The Washington Post+2AP News+2