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. He was 75 and had been battling esophageal cancer.
His family announced that Connolly, a dedicated father, husband, brother, friend, and seasoned public servant, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.
Connolly disclosed his esophageal cancer diagnosis in November 2024, shortly after winning a ninth term to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. In April 2025, he revealed that his cancer had recurred despite treatment and declared he would not run for reelection in 2026.
Born on March 30, 1950, in Boston, Massachusetts, Connolly earned a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University in 1979. During the 1980s, he served as a staff member on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, working for then-Senator Joe Biden of Delaware.
Connolly’s political career began in 1995 when he was elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in Virginia. He served 14 years on the board, including five years as chairman from 2003 to 2007, managing a $4.5 billion budget and overseeing what would be considered the nation’s 13th-largest city.
In 2008, when Republican Rep. Tom Davis decided not to seek reelection, Connolly ran successfully to replace him and served in Congress from 2009 until his death. His district included affluent suburbs outside Washington, D.C., such as Fairfax County.
In Congress, Connolly was recognized for his strong advocacy for federal workers and his legislative effectiveness. He co-authored the bipartisan Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act, enacted in 2014, marking a major overhaul of federal IT management laws since 1996. He also helped pass the Telework Enhancement Act, which mandated increased federal telework capabilities.
Internationally, Connolly served twice as president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and prioritized enhancing the U.S. role within NATO. He was consistently vocal about human rights issues and opposed President Donald Trump’s policies.
Following the 2024 election, Connolly secured a victory in a competitive race to become the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, defeating progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York 131-84, despite having announced his cancer diagnosis a month earlier.
Connolly stated he was surprised by his cancer diagnosis, as he experienced minimal symptoms. He committed to fighting the disease “the only way I know how — with Irish fight and humor.” Despite aggressive treatment, the cancer recurred in April.
In announcing his decision not to seek reelection, Connolly said, “The sun is setting on my time in public service” and asked Rep. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts to serve as interim ranking member of the Oversight Committee.
On Wednesday morning, the House Rules Committee paused its meeting on President Trump’s tax bill to observe a moment of silence in Connolly’s honor. Committee Chair Virginia Foxx of North Carolina asked members to pray for his family.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries noted that even during his cancer battle, Connolly continued to defend federal workers against unprecedented attacks both in his district and nationally.
Former President Biden, for whom Connolly worked on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, remembered him as “a man of deep integrity, principle, and purpose” and recalled their work on significant legislation, including the American Rescue Plan and efforts to prevent veteran suicide and support first responders.
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, who knew Connolly for over 35 years, described him as a fighter with a sharp mind, boundless energy, and deep commitment to the people of Northern Virginia that made him influential on both 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 grants Republicans a 220-212 majority in the House.
In accordance with Virginia state 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 position.
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.”
