BREAKING NOW: Marking the third House Democrat to pass away in just three months, a top congressional Democrat has died at 75 after battling cancer.
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Representative Gerry Connolly’s (D-VA) death shifted the House majority further in Republicans’ favor, with a 220-212 advantage.
This requires Governor Glenn Youngkin to call a special election that could impact the balance of power in Washington.
According to his family, Connolly died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones.
The congressman, who served as the top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, had announced in April that his cancer had returned and that he would not seek re-election in 2026.
Connolly’s death represents a significant shift in the House’s power dynamic, giving Republicans a more comfortable 220-212 majority.
This marks the third House Democrat to die in office in just the past three months, a concerning trend for a party already struggling to maintain its influence in the lower chamber.
Virginia’s Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin must now call a special election to fill the vacant seat.
First elected to Congress in 2008, Connolly was known for championing federal employees in Northern Virginia and forging relationships across party lines during his 15 years in Washington.
Despite his bipartisan friendships, Connolly remained a staunch Democrat who recently defeated far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for the top Democrat position on the Oversight Committee, highlighting the party’s internal power struggles.
Due to his deteriorating health, Connolly asked Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-MA) to serve as interim leader of the Oversight Committee Democrats, setting up what would likely be a contentious process to select a permanent replacement.
Although Ocasio-Cortez has stated she will not pursue the committee seat, several Democrats are positioning themselves for the role.
This includes experienced members like Lynch and younger representatives such as Robert Garcia (D-CA) and Jasmine Crockett (D-TX).
The House Rules Committee paused proceedings to honor Connolly with a moment of silence following the announcement of his death.
Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) asked members to “stop and say a prayer for his family,” demonstrating the respect Connolly had earned from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
Connolly’s final legislative effort reflected his personal struggle, as he co-sponsored the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act with Congressman James Comer (R-KY).
His legacy in Virginia includes local projects such as the Silver Line, Oakton Library, Mosaic District, and Cross County Trail.
As Democrats mourn his loss, they also face the political reality that his death further diminishes their influence in a House already controlled by the GOP.
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