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3d ago

Virginia Special Election Poised to Trim House GOP Edge as Voters Pick Connolly Successor

The likely Democratic pickup would further tighten Speaker Mike Johnson’s margin ahead of the Sept. 30 funding deadline.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., left, speaks during a news conference with Democratic congressional candidate James Walkinshaw, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 in Fairfax, Va. Walkinshaw will face Republican Stewart Whitson in a special election on Sept. 9 to fill Rep. Gerry Connolly's congressional seat in Fairfax County (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Democratic candidate James Walkinshaw, who is running for the empty 11th congressional seat in Virginia, talks with reporters following a news conference, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 in Fairfax, Va. Walkinshaw will face Republican Stewart Whitson in a special election on Sept. 9 to fill Rep. Gerry Connolly's congressional seat in Fairfax County (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Overview

  • Polls open Tuesday in Virginia’s 11th District, where Democrat James Walkinshaw faces Republican Stewart Whitson to fill the seat of the late Gerry Connolly.
  • The suburban Washington district, home to thousands of federal workers, has delivered Democratic margins of 30 points or more, leaving Walkinshaw heavily favored.
  • A Democratic win would cut Republicans’ working margin on party-line votes, allowing only two defections instead of three.
  • More than 48,000 ballots were cast before Election Day as campaigns centered on DOGE federal job cuts alongside education and cultural policy fights.
  • Upcoming specials in Arizona on Sept. 23 and Texas on Nov. 4 could further tighten the House before a GOP-leaning Tennessee race on Dec. 2.