Top democratic rep, 75, dies after cancer battle

Democratic Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly died Wednesday morning following a battle with esophageal cancer, his family announced. He was 75. Connolly had been the top Democrat on the powerful

House Oversight Committee up until last month after edging out Bronx and Queens Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for the coveted role. The Virginian is the third House Democrat to pass this

year while in office and his death comes as House Republicans are scrambling to wrangle President Trump’s marquee One Big Beautiful Bill Act through their ultra-slim majority in the lower

chamber. “Gerry lived his life to give back to others and make our community better. He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just,”

Connolly’s family said in a statement. “We were fortunate to share Gerry with Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years because that was his joy, his purpose, and his passion.” Connolly had

announced plans to step down from his role as the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee last month and previously announced that he wouldn’t seek re-election in 2026 due to a resurgence of

his cancer. The late lawmaker, whose career in politics spanned more than four decades, was first elected to Congress in 2008 and revealed his cancer diagnosis last November.  EXPLORE MORE

The nine-term Democrat got his start as a Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffer in the late 1970s, then entered local politics, winning a spot on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

in 1995 and rising to become chairman about nine years later.  During his time in local office, Connolly was generally viewed as pro-business compared to many of his fellow Democrats and

tended to favor development of the DC exurbs.  One of his most notable actions was championing the extension of the Metrorail Silver Line to Washington Dulles International Airport, about 28

miles away from the nation’s capital. In Congress, Connolly made multiple attempts to helm the Oversight Committee, including in 2019 and 2022, but was edged out by other Democrats both

times. When Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) announced plans to switch to the House Judiciary Committee last year, Connolly vied for it again.  With Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) backing, Connolly

edged out Ocasio-Cortez, then the No. 2 Democrat on the panel, to become the ranking member.  Tributes poured in for Connolly after news of his passing broke.  “I’m deeply saddened by the

passing of Ranking Member Gerry Connolly. He was a dedicated public servant who represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District with honor and integrity,” Oversight Committee Chairman

James Comer (R-Ky.) said in a statement.  “The Democratic Caucus, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country have lost a hardworking, humble and honorable public servant with the passing

of Congressman Gerry Connolly,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said. Connolly’s death comes after the passing of late Reps. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) and Raul Grijalva

(D-Ariz.) in March. The last eight members of Congress to die in office have all been Democrats. House Republicans now have a 220-212 majority and can only afford to lose three votes on any

legislation, assuming full attendance.