Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, passed away on Wednesday morning, May 21, 2025, at his residence in Fairfax County, Virginia. Connolly was 75 and had been battling esophageal cancer.
His family announced that Connolly, a dedicated family man and public servant, died peacefully at home with his family present.
Connolly disclosed his esophageal cancer diagnosis in November 2024, shortly after securing reelection for his ninth term representing Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. In April 2025, he revealed that his cancer had recurred, and he would not run for reelection in 2026.
Born on March 30, 1950, in Boston, Massachusetts, Connolly received a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University in 1979. In the 1980s, he worked for a decade as a staff member on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including serving then-Senator Joe Biden of Delaware.
Connolly began his political career in 1995 by winning a seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in Virginia. He served 14 years on the board, including five years as chairman from 2003 to 2007, overseeing a $4.5 billion budget and managing what ranks as the 13th-largest city in the nation.
When Republican Rep. Tom Davis decided not to seek reelection in 2008, Connolly ran successfully to replace him, serving in Congress from 2009 until his death. His district included the affluent suburbs of Washington, D.C., such as Fairfax County.
In Congress, Connolly was recognized for his staunch advocacy on behalf of federal employees and his legislative efficacy. He co-authored the bipartisan Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act, enacted in 2014, marking the first major overhaul of federal IT management laws since 1996. He also championed the Telework Enhancement Act, which mandated increased federal telework capabilities.
Internationally, Connolly served twice as president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, focusing on enhancing the U.S. role within NATO. He frequently addressed human rights issues and was a vocal critic of President Donald Trump’s policies.
Following the 2024 election, Connolly secured the position of ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, winning against progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York 131-84, despite having announced his cancer diagnosis a month earlier.
Connolly expressed surprise at his cancer diagnosis, noting he had experienced almost no symptoms. He pledged to combat the disease “the only way I know how — with Irish fight and humor.” Despite undergoing aggressive treatments, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, he announced in April that the cancer had returned.
When deciding not to seek reelection, 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 discussion on President Trump’s tax bill for a moment of silence in Connolly’s memory. Committee Chair Virginia Foxx of North Carolina asked members to pause and pray for his family.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries remarked that even while fighting his challenging cancer diagnosis, Connolly continued to resist unprecedented attacks on federal employees both in his district and across the country.
Former President Biden, with whom Connolly worked on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, remembered him as “a man of deep integrity, principle, and purpose” and recounted their collaboration on significant legislation, including the American Rescue Plan and initiatives aimed at preventing veteran suicide and supporting first responders.
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, who has known Connolly for over 35 years, characterized him as a formidable figure with a sharp mind, boundless energy, and a deep commitment to the people of Northern Virginia, making him influential both on the Fairfax Board of Supervisors 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 death results in a 220-212 Republican majority in the House.
Under Virginia law, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin must call a special election to fill the vacant seat. Democrats will also need to choose 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 so many.”
