Rep. Gerry Connolly says he won't seek reelection amid return of cancer

Lawmakers look rising choler from constituents

Washington lawmakers look rising choler from constituents 02:34

Washington — Rep. Gerry Connolly announced connected Monday helium won't question reelection successful 2026 and plans to measurement backmost "soon" from his station arsenic the top Democrat connected the House Oversight Committee. 

The long-serving Virginia Democrat said his crab had returned.  

"When I announced my diagnosis six months ago, I promised transparency," Connolly said successful an unfastened missive to his constituents Monday. "After grueling treatments, we've learned that the cancer, portion initially beaten back, has present returned."

Connolly, 75, said helium volition "do everything imaginable to proceed to represent" his constituents for the remainder of his term, adding that the "sun is mounting connected my clip successful nationalist service."

"With nary rancor and a afloat heart, I determination into this last section afloat of pridefulness successful what we've accomplished unneurotic implicit 30 years," Connolly added. 

Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia questions witnesses during a House Committee connected Oversight and Government Reform proceeding titled "A Hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors" successful Washington, DC connected March 5, 2025. Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images

The Virginia Democrat archetypal came to Congress successful 2009. In November, Connolly announced helium had been diagnosed with esophageal crab and planned to promptly acquisition chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

In December, Democrats elected Connolly to service arsenic the ranking Democrat connected the House Oversight Committee, beating retired Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York for the station connected the almighty panel. Connolly's elevation to ranking subordinate places him successful enactment to seat the Oversight Committee if Democrats retake the House successful 2026.

Connolly's announcement could punctual a generational displacement astatine the apical of the Oversight Committee, aft a propulsion for a younger harvest of Democratic committee leaders precocious past twelvemonth arsenic the enactment sought to combat GOP power of some chambers. Ocasio-Cortez nary longer serves connected the panel, but different salient Democrats whitethorn look to equine a bid for the apical station successful the adjacent future.