By Jared Serre | Published April 28, 2025 at 11:30AM

Rep. Gerry Connolly, who has represented Virginia’s 11th district for nearly 20 years, will not seek another term in Congress, he announced today (Monday).

The 75-year-old congressman, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer late last year, has seen a re-emergence of the illness, according to a statement.

Connolly announced his diagnosis on Nov. 7, just two days after winning reelection to his ninth term in Congress.

Though Connolly intends to serve out the remainder of his term, he expects to step away “soon” as Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee. Democrats chose Connolly for the position over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York last year in a heated battle that pitted the party’s veterans against a new generation of leaders.

Connolly’s full statement can be seen below.

Dear Friends,

I want to begin by thanking you for your good wishes and compassion as I continue to tackle my diagnosis. Your outpouring of love and support has given me strength in my fights – both against cancer and in our collective defense of democracy.

When I announced my diagnosis six months ago, I promised transparency. After grueling treatments, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned. I’ll do everything possible to continue to represent you and thank you for your grace.

The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress. I will be stepping back as Ranking Member of the Oversight Committee soon. With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years. My loving family and staff sustain me. My extended family – you all have been a joy to serve.

Your friend and public servant, 

Gerry Connolly

Connolly has represented the district that covers much of Fairfax County since 2009, when he flipped the seat from the Republican Party. The seat has grown into a Democratic stronghold since then, with Connolly garnering at least two-thirds of the vote in each of the last five election cycles.

Before becoming a congressman, Connolly was a longtime member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. A Mantua resident, he represented the Providence District from 1995 through 2003 before spending five years as the board’s chairman.

Shortly after Connolly’s announcement, other local figures and elected officials began to express support for his decision and future.

From Sen. Mark Warner, who said he’s “proud to call Gerry a friend”:

“Throughout his career, Gerry Connolly has exemplified the very best of public service — fiercely intelligent, deeply principled, and relentlessly committed to the people of Northern Virginia and our nation. Whether it’s standing up for federal workers, advocating for good governance, or now confronting cancer with the same resilience and grit that have defined his life of public service, Gerry is one of the toughest fighters I know. I have no doubt that Gerry will continue to fight — for his health, for his community, and for the causes he believes in.”

Fellow Rep. Don Beyer, who has represented the neighboring 8th district since 2015, said that Connolly has left “an indelible mark on Fairfax County.”

“Northern Virginia is a better place for Gerry Connolly’s decision to enter public service. He has left an indelible mark on Fairfax County, our region, our Commonwealth, and our country as a tireless advocate for our federal workforce, the U.S. Postal Service, and our public transit system. He served his constituents faithfully, was a vigorous fighter for government reform, and remains one of the most effective legislators in either party.

“I cannot imagine the House without Gerry. We have been friends for many years, but for the past decade our partnership was an essential starting point from which so much important work followed. I deeply respect Gerry’s decision to put his constituents first by stepping back, but I will miss him terribly in Congress. Megan and I send our love to Gerry, Smitty, and the Connolly family, with thanks for years of friendship and a great career, and our best hopes for the future.”

Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, who served as Connolly’s chief of staff for more than a decade before getting elected in 2019, praised his former boss for championing the Affordable Care Act as well as key Fairfax County projects, including Metro’s Silver Line and the Mosaic District.

“Throughout his career, he’s taken on the tough fights and never hesitated to do what’s right for the people he represents, even in the face of intense political pressure,” Walkinshaw wrote.

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn’s familiarity with Connolly dates back to 1998, when the future legislator led a campaign by the Mantua Citizens Association to get a leaking oil tank farm cleaned up, according to a statement.

“His contributions to our community and country have only continued to grow in scope and impact since that time,” Alcorn said, noting that Connolly has remained a “constant presence in our community” even as his political profile has grown in stature.

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, who represents southeastern Fairfax County as the 34th District senator, lauded Connolly as “a visionary leader” for the county whose advocacy made Northern Virginia and the country a “better, stronger place.”