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— Rep. Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) May 21, 2025

“We were fortunate to share Gerry with Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years because that was his joy, his purpose, and his passion. His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations,” the statement continued. “We thank you for your love of Gerry, and know he loved you all so much.”

Connolly stepped down as top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee last month and announced he would not seek reelection in 2026 after a recurrence of cancer.

“After grueling treatments, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned. I’ll do everything possible to continue to represent you and thank you for your grace,” Connolly said in an open letter to constituents in April.

He had represented the northern Virginia congressional district outside Washington, D.C., since 2009. Prior to serving in Congress, he served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Connolly is the third House Democrat to die since the beginning of the 119th Congress in January.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) reacted to the news, saying, “His decades of public service reflect a deep commitment to Virginia.”

Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears expressed her grief over Connolly’s death, saying in a statement she was “saddened to hear of the passing of Congressman Connolly.”

“I can only imagine the grief that his family is experiencing and will endure in the months to come. I hope that even as they grieve they will also soothe each other with a story of ‘Remember the time when…’ and then they laugh through their tears. May God be with his family,” Earle-Sears said.

Various members of Congress also paid tribute to Connolly. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said, “The Democratic Caucus, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country have lost a hardworking, humble and honorable public servant with the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly.”

“In addition to his legislative wisdom, Gerry always brought his signature mirth and wit to the House, making even something like proxy voting a point of levity during an otherwise challenging time in our nation,” Jeffries added.” My prayers, and those of the entire House Democratic Caucus, are with Congressman Connolly’s loved ones and the devoted staff who he considered to be his family.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said he was “deeply saddened” by Connolly’s death and called his Democratic counterpart on the committee a “dedicated public servant who represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District with honor and integrity.”

“We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time,” Comer said in a statement Wednesday morning.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, called him a “good man” on WMAL radio’s O’Connor and Company and reminisced about when the two served on the House Oversight Committee. Connolly’s predecessor as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), said the death of the Virginia Democrat is “crushingly sad.”

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“Crushingly sad to learn of the passing of Gerry Connolly, my friend, colleague and fierce champion of federal workers, public integrity and the people of Virginia (though he never surrendered his hearty south Boston accent). May his memory be a blessing to us all,” Raskin said.

During a House Rules Committee hearing Wednesday morning, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) temporarily halted the session to say a prayer for Connolly.

Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) said he was “heartbroken” by the death of his “friend and colleague,” saying he served the public with “unmatched dedication and purpose.” Turner specifically recalled when he and Connolly served as part of the U.S. delegation for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

“His leadership as President of NATO-PA was marked by clarity and conviction, especially in the face of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Gerry was also a steadfast advocate in his pursuit of a Centre for Democratic Resilience at NATO headquarters, prioritizing the strength of democratic institutions across the alliance,” Turner said in a statement.