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18h ago

Rep. Gerry Connolly Dies at 75 Following Cancer Battle

The nine-term Virginia congressman and former House Oversight Committee ranking member passed away at home surrounded by family.

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., questions witnesses during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing in Washington on March 5.
FILE PHOTO: Democratic U.S. Rep. Gerald (Gerry) Connolly of Virginia, running for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on gun violence on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. June 8, 2022. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Rep. Gerry Connolly speaks at a press conference outside the U.S. Agency for International Development on Feb. 3. Photo: Jason C. Andrew/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Overview

  • Rep. Gerry Connolly, a Democrat from Virginia's 11th District, died at 75 after battling esophageal cancer, his family announced Wednesday morning.
  • Connolly served in Congress since 2009, becoming a prominent advocate for federal workers, infrastructure development, and government accountability.
  • He stepped down as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee in April following the recurrence of his cancer and announced he would not seek reelection.
  • His career spanned over 40 years, starting as a Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffer, followed by local leadership on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and later in Congress.
  • Connolly's death marks the third Democratic vacancy in the House this year, prompting bipartisan tributes highlighting his dedication to public service and regional development.