Rep. Gerald Connolly Announces Retirement from Congress Amid Cancer Battle
Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) has announced he will not seek re-election in 2026 due to his ongoing battle with esophageal cancer. After serving since 2008 and winning re-election consistently, he will also step down from his committee leadership position. His decision reflects a growing trend, with 14 Congress members, including nine representatives, declaring retirement ahead of the upcoming election.
Representative Gerald Connolly, a Democrat from Virginia, made headlines on April 28, 2025, announcing his decision not to pursue re-election for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. This news comes shortly after Connolly revealed in November 2024 that he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. In an emotional statement about his retirement, he shared: “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, following the decision by then-Representative Thomas M. Davis, a Republican, not to seek re-election. He successfully triumphed over Keith S. Fimian in the general election, taking 55% of the vote compared to Fimian’s 43%. Over the years, Connolly has consistently secured re-election, winning by an average margin of 34 percentage points in the seven elections that featured major party competition. Notably, in 2016, he ran unopposed, and his largest margin of victory occurred in 2018 when he outpaced his opponent by 44 points. However, in their 2010 rematch, he squeaked by with just a 0.4-point advantage.
As of April 29, both The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have categorized the 2026 race for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District as “Solid Democratic,” while Sabato’s Crystal Ball has claimed it as “Safe Democratic.” Alongside announcing his retirement, Connolly stated he would also resign from his role as ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability for the 119th Congress. CBS News’ Kaia Hubbard highlighted the potential for a “generational shift” in leadership, observing a movement towards younger Democratic leaders in light of recent electoral challenges posed by Republican control of Congress.
As of the end of April, Connolly is among 14 U.S. Congress members—five senators and nine representatives—who have declared they will not run again in 2026. Of the nine representatives, four are Democrats and five are Republicans. Notably, one Democrat is opting to retire, while four members, including three Democrats and one Republican, are competing for U.S. Senate seats. Additionally, four Republicans are setting their sights on governor positions.
When looking back, the trend of retirement announcements over the last four election cycles shows fluctuations: there were eight retirements at this point in 2024, 11 in 2022, five in 2020, and seven in 2018. Since January 2011, Ballotpedia has tracked a total of 361 announcements from Senate and House members regarding their decision not to seek re-election. The highest number of announcements in a single month occurred in January with 69, while June saw the fewest with just 12.
In summary, Rep. Gerald Connolly’s announcement of his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives marks a significant moment in Virginia’s political landscape. As he transitions away from public service due to health challenges, his decision reflects both personal circumstances and the evolving dynamics within the House. With 14 other members opting not to seek re-election, this trend of retirements is drawing attention as the political landscape prepares for the 2026 elections.
Original Source: news.ballotpedia.org
