Longtime Democrat Congressman Gerry Connolly of Virginia has died at the age of 75, his family confirmed in a statement Monday morning. The career politician, known for his staunch defense of big government and decades-long presence in Northern Virginia politics, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.
“It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning,” the family said. “Gerry lived his life to give back to others and make our community better.”
The family’s statement praised Connolly as a “skilled statesman” and “environmental champion,” pointing to his longtime political career, which included time as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and over 15 years in Congress representing Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.
— Rep. Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) May 21, 2025
Connolly, a champion of the federal bureaucracy, represented one of the most government-dependent districts in the country — encompassing most of Fairfax County and Fairfax City — home to tens of thousands of federal workers. He made a name for himself in Congress as a reliable vote for expanding Washington’s reach, supporting massive federal budgets, climate regulations, and more oversight committees than most could name.
In December, Connolly was elected as the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight and Accountability Committee, edging out Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), despite the fact that he was already dealing with a recurrence of esophageal cancer. It was a clear signal that the old guard of the Democratic Party wasn’t ready to hand the keys over to the Squad just yet.
However, he stepped down from that leadership post earlier this year as his condition worsened. According to Fox News, Connolly had been undergoing treatment for more than six months.
Throughout his tenure in Congress, Connolly was a vocal supporter of environmental regulations, postal reform, and a massive federal workforce. His legacy in Northern Virginia includes infrastructure projects like the expansion of the D.C. Metro’s Silver Line and support for various public amenities tied to federal funding.
While his brand of politics often drew criticism from conservatives — particularly his commitment to big government spending and his opposition to efforts at shrinking the administrative state — even his critics would acknowledge Connolly was a skilled political operator who knew how to use his district’s proximity to Washington to deliver for his constituents.
His passing creates a major vacancy in a Democrat stronghold and could ignite a heated special election. For now, though, the district and his party are mourning the loss of a fixture of Northern Virginia’s political establishment.