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4w ago

Virginia’s 11th District Votes Tuesday in Race Expected to Keep Seat Blue

The result could cut House Republicans’ cushion on party-line votes to two defections.

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)
Republican Stewart Whitson, left, and Democrat James Walkinshaw are campaigning to represent Virginia’s 11th congressional district.

Overview

  • Democrat James Walkinshaw faces Republican Stewart Whitson in the special election to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly.
  • Analysts favor Walkinshaw in the deep-blue Northern Virginia district with a large federal workforce.
  • A Democratic win would further tighten Speaker Mike Johnson’s narrow margin and could complicate passage of partisan measures ahead of the Sept. 30 funding deadline.
  • The House currently has 431 seated members, with Republicans at 219 and Democrats at 212, and other vacancies awaiting special elections.
  • Walkinshaw highlights his years as Connolly’s chief of staff and a final weekend GOTV blitz, while Whitson emphasizes education priorities and culture-war issues.