Gerry Connolly, a Democratic congressman representing Northern Virginia, died on Wednesday at the age of 75. His family announced his passing through a statement from his congressional office, noting that his public service had been his joy, purpose, and passion for nearly 40 years. The Virginia Democrat was known for his strong advocacy for federal workers, who made up a significant portion of his constituency.
Connolly had revealed in April 2025 that he would not seek reelection in 2026 and would step down from his position as the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform due to the return of his esophageal cancer. At that time, as reported by Politico, he told his constituents, “The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress,” adding that they had been “a joy to serve.” He had initially disclosed his cancer diagnosis in November 2024.
