Washington — Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia died Wednesday, his family announced. He was 75 years old.
Connolly’s death comes weeks after he announced that he would not seek reelection in 2026 and would be stepping back from his post as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee because his cancer had returned.
“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 surrounded by family,” Connolly’s family announced in a statement.
Connolly, a Democrat, has represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, which covers parts of the region outside of Washington, D.C., since 2009. He announced in November that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and would be undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
But the Virginia Democrat said in an open letter to his constituents last month that while the cancer was initially beaten back after treatments, it had returned. He said at the time that his “sun is setting on my time in public service.”
In announcing his death, Connolly’s family praised his years in public service, saying “his legacy now colors our region.”
“We were fortunate to share Gerry with