Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, a prominent Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, passed away on Wednesday morning, May 21, 2025, at his residence in Fairfax County at the age of 75. He had been battling esophageal cancer.
His family announced the news, noting that Connolly died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones.
Connolly disclosed his esophageal cancer diagnosis in November 2024, shortly after being reelected for a ninth term representing Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. In April 2025, he announced the cancer’s return and his decision not to seek reelection in 2026.
Born on March 30, 1950, in Boston, Massachusetts, Connolly earned a master’s in public administration from Harvard University in 1979. During the 1980s, he spent a decade working as a staff member for the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including a period working with then-Senator Joe Biden of Delaware.
Connolly’s political career began in 1995 when he was elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in Virginia. He served for 14 years, including five years as chairman from 2003 to 2007, managing a budget of $4.5 billion and overseeing what would be the 13th-largest city in the nation.
When Republican Rep. Tom Davis decided not to seek reelection in 2008, Connolly ran for and won the congressional seat. His district included affluent suburbs of Washington, D.C., such as Fairfax County.
In Congress, Connolly was known for legislative effectiveness and advocating for federal workers. He co-authored the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act, a bipartisan bill that became law in 2014, marking the first major update to federal IT management laws since 1996. He also passed the Telework Enhancement Act to increase federal telework capabilities.
In international matters, Connolly served twice as president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and focused on reinforcing the U.S. role within NATO. He consistently addressed human rights issues and was a vocal critic of President Donald Trump’s policies.
Following the 2024 election, Connolly won the race to become the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, defeating Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York 131-84, despite his recent cancer diagnosis.
Connolly mentioned that his cancer diagnosis was unexpected due to minimal symptoms. He committed to battling the illness “the only way I know how — with Irish fight and humor.” Despite aggressive treatment, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, he announced the recurrence of his cancer in April.
In announcing his decision not to run again, Connolly stated, “The sun is setting on my time in public service,” and recommended Rep. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts as interim ranking member of the Oversight Committee.
On Wednesday morning, the House Rules Committee paused its session on President Trump’s tax legislation to observe a moment of silence in Connolly’s memory. Committee Chair Virginia Foxx of North Carolina urged members to pray for his family.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries remarked that even during his cancer battle, Connolly continued to resist unprecedented challenges to federal workers in his district and nationwide.
Former President Biden, who worked with Connolly on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, remembered him as “a man of deep integrity, principle, and purpose,” noting their collaboration on significant legislation like the American Rescue Plan.
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, who had known Connolly for over 35 years, described him as a determined individual with a keen intellect and a commitment to Northern Virginia, making him a formidable presence both locally and in Congress.
Connolly is the third House Democrat to pass away in office since March 2025, following Reps. Sylvester Turner of Texas and Raul Grijalva of Arizona. His passing results in a 220-212 Republican majority in the House.
According to Virginia state law, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin must call a special election to fill the vacant seat. Democrats will also need to appoint a new ranking member for the Oversight Committee, with several members, including Lynch, Kweisi Mfume, Jasmine Crockett, and Robert Garcia, reportedly interested in the role.
Connolly is survived by his wife, Cathy, and daughter, Caitlin. His family described him as “a skilled statesman on the international stage, an accomplished legislator in Congress, a visionary executive on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, a fierce defender of democracy, an environmental champion, and a mentor to many.”
