Rep. Gerald Connolly Announces Retirement From Congress, Ending Political Chapter

Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) announced on April 28, 2025, he will not seek re-election in 2026 due to his returning esophageal cancer. Connolly’s career began in 2008, and he has since had several successful re-elections, with the 2026 race deemed ‘Solid Democratic.’ His retirement coincides with broader shifts in Congressional retirements, as multiple lawmakers are exiting ahead of the upcoming elections.

Representative Gerald Connolly, a Democrat from Virginia, has made a significant announcement regarding his political future. On April 28, 2025, he declared that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 2026 term. This revelation follows Connolly’s announcement in November 2024 of his esophageal cancer diagnosis, which has drastically impacted his life and career. He stated, “After grueling treatments, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned. … The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress.”

Connolly first entered the House in 2008, after then-Rep. Thomas M. Davis (R-Va.) opted not to run again. In that election, he secured victory against Keith S. Fimian, receiving 55% of the votes compared to Fimian’s 43%. Over the years, Connolly has faced various challengers and has managed to win his subsequent re-elections by significant margins. Notably, in 2018 he achieved his highest margin of victory, winning by 44 percentage points. His closest call was in 2010 when he won a rematch against Fimian by a slim 0.4 percentage points.

As of April 29, 2025, race forecasters from The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have assessed the upcoming 2026 election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District as “Solid Democratic.” Additionally, Sabato’s Crystal Ball considers the race as “Safe Democratic,” suggesting a strong possibility of a Democratic hold on the seat.

Alongside his retirement announcement, Connolly also disclosed that he intends to step down as the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. CBS News reported that this shift could lead to a generational change in leadership within the committee, which could align with ongoing calls for younger Democratic leaders as the party looks to regain momentum against the Republican Party.

As of late April, Connolly is among 14 current members of Congress—five senators and nine representatives—who have declared they will not seek re-election in 2026. Of those representatives, four are Democrats and five are Republicans. One Democratic representative is retiring altogether, while three Democrats and one Republican are vying for U.S. Senate positions. Additionally, four Republicans are running for governor.

This trend of retirements is intriguing when compared to previous election cycles. In 2024, there were eight announcements of retirements by this time, while in 2022 there were 11, only five in 2020, and seven in 2018, indicating a notable variance in turnover among lawmakers. Notably, since January 2011, Ballotpedia tracked more than 361 retirement announcements from Congress members, with January experiencing the highest monthly count at 69, contrasting sharply with June’s lowest count of just 12.

Representative Gerald Connolly’s decision not to run for re-election marks the end of a significant chapter in Virginia’s political landscape. His tenure has been characterized by notable electoral successes and now, amid health challenges, he brings attention to a generational shift in leadership opportunities. The upcoming election seems solidly in favor of Democrats, suggesting a continued Democratic presence in Congress. The trend of retirements among lawmakers could affect the political fabric as the 2026 elections approach.

Original Source: news.ballotpedia.org