Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) will not seek reelection in 2026 and will step down from his position as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee due to a recurrence of cancer.
Connolly, 75, announced in November last year that he was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. He said in a statement after “grueling treatments” that the cancer has returned.
“The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress,” Connolly said Monday. “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.”
Connolly defeated Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) in December last year for the ranking membership. Ocasio-Cortez, 35, had been one of several younger Democrats seeking a generational shift in leadership following losses in the 2024 election. However, the Democrats’ steering committee selected Connolly, who had the backing of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
The Washington Examiner reached out to Ocasio-Cortez for comment.
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) will serve as interim ranking member until someone is selected to permanently fill the position, the Washington Examiner confirmed.
Virginia’s 11th District has remained in Democratic hands since Connolly’s win in 2008, which flipped the seat from red to blue. He won reelection in 2024 with 66.7% of the vote.
