Virginia congressman Gerry Connolly dies at 75 after long career in public service 

WASHINGTON (CN) — The family of Gerry Connolly announced the death of the U.S. representative on Wednesday after a battle with cancer.

“It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family,” the Fairfax County, Virginia-based representative’s family said in a statement.

The Democrat served since 2009 as the representative for Virginia’s 11th congressional district, encompassing a small but wealthy and populous Washington suburb. His death comes a day after he and Republican James Comer introduced the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act, a bipartisan bill ordering the Government Accountability Office to study gaps in screening and prevention of esophageal cancer.

“Esophageal Cancer is quickly on the rise, touching the lives of tens of thousands of Americans — including mine,” Connolly said in a press release Tuesday. “It is vital that we all do our part to raise awareness and push for more research and more effective prevention efforts. I am immensely grateful to my colleague, Chairman Comer, for joining me in introducing this important legislation today. Together, we will fight to end esophageal cancer, bringing hope to thousands of American families.”

Abigail Spanberg, the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s gubernatorial race, offered her condolences before a campaign event on Wednesday.

“A titan in Virginia politics has passed away,” said Spanberg, a former congresswoman who wore green in Connolly’s honor. “Congressman Gerry Connolly was an extraordinary and fierce advocate for communities, certainly the communities he represented, but so many communities across Virginia.”

Connolly served on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Oversight and Reform. His extensive foreign affairs credentials include serving as a senior staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee prior to his time in office.

As a ranking member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation, Connolly co-authored the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act with California Republican Darrell Issa. The 2014 act created a sea change in the federal laws governing IT management.

Other notable legislation includes his sponsoring of the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, which passed in 2016 and allows temporary employees of land management agencies to be eligible for civil servant positions.

Connolly was a founding member and Chair Emeritus of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Caucus, where he called for the long-term extension and expansion of clean energy tax credits, a carbon price or a clean energy performance program, and electrification investments.

Connolly’s legacy also includes playing a key role in securing federal funding for transportation improvements in Northern Virginia, including completing the Fairfax County Parkway, widening the Prince William County Parkway, providing ongoing support for a railway to Dulles Airport and securing the annual federal commitment of $150 million for the regional Metro system.

“Gerry never wavered in his pursuit of justice, equity and good government,” Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Lamont Bagby said in a statement. “He was a champion for federal workers, a defender of democracy, and a fierce advocate for Virginia on the national stage.”

“From transforming Northern Virginia’s transportation infrastructure — making transit more accessible for all — to shaping America’s role on the global stage, Gerry’s legacy reaches from local neighborhoods to the halls of Congress and across the world,” Speaker of Virginia’s House of Delegates Don Scott said in a statement. “He made his way to the top ranks of Congress not only because of his intelligence and unmatched work ethic, but because people trusted him, believed in him, and, above all, loved him.”

Connolly recently served as president of the NATO parliamentary assembly and briefly as ranking member of the House oversight committee. The Center for Effective Lawmaking named Connolly the most effective lawmaker of the 117th Congress.

Connolly’s marks the sixth House Democrat to die in the last 13 months, with three dying since the 119th Congress began less than five months ago. It comes shortly after former President Joe Biden announced a diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer and fellow Northern Virginia politician State Senator Barbara Favola’s uterine cancer diagnosis.

Some pundits took to social media to voice displeasure with Connolly’s decision to continue his role in Congress despite his terminal diagnosis. All three House members who’ve died during President Donald Trump’s second term have left Republican governors in charge of finding their replacements.

“Gerry Connolly refused to retire despite having terminal cancer. He just died,” Matt Stoller, a researcher at the American Economic Liberties Project tweeted. “As a result, there’s another empty seat that would be filled by a Democrat. That makes passing the Big Beautiful Bill slightly easier.”

Originally from Boston, Connolly served locally on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 1995 to 2003 and later chaired the board until 2009.

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is tasked with holding a special election to find Connolly’s replacement. Esophageal cancer is the fastest-growing cancer among American men, according to Connolly’s website.