Rep. Gerry Connolly’s family announced on X that the congressman died Wednesday morning.
“Gerry lived his life to give back to others and make our community better. He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just,” the statement from the post read. “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations.”
Connolly, a Democrat who had served in Congress since 2009, first made his esophageal cancer diagnosis public after the 2024 election, but was responding well to treatment. He then announced in April that the cancer had returned and he would not seek re-election to his seat.
He had served as the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee and won a tough internal campaign for the post last year against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Connolly announced in late April that he would step back from his role on the committee, which had already set off a shadow race among Democrats for the position.
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Connolly, who was 75, was a longtime defender of the federal government, one of the reasons he decided to serve on the Oversight committee. He started his career of public service as a staffer on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1979 to 1989. In 1995, he was elected to serve on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
He will be long remembered by his colleagues, constituents and reporters on Capitol Hill for his witty quotes and interest in the issues he fought for, including protecting the federal government.
The news of Connolly’s death broke during a high-profile, all-night Rules Committee hearing on Republicans’ sweeping policy bill. Rules members found out one by one from staffers and each other as Rep. Gwen Moore was speaking.
Rep. Joe Neguse got up as Moore was talking and spoke to Chair Virginia Foxx. When Moore finished her remarks, Foxx stopped proceedings and announced the news to the room. Moore hadn’t known. Foxx then held a brief moment of silence and prayer to remember Connolly and his family.
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Daniella Diaz is a reporter at NOTUS. Katherine Swartz is a NOTUS reporter and an Allbritton Journalism Institute fellow.
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