Rep. Gerald Connolly Announces Retirement from Congress Ahead of 2026 Elections
Rep. Gerald Connolly announced on April 28, 2025, that he will not run for re-election in 2026 due to a recurrence of esophageal cancer. He plans to step down from leadership roles, reflecting potential shifts within the Democratic Party. Various members in Congress are also opting out of the next election, signaling a significant change in political climate.
On April 28, 2025, Rep. Gerald Connolly, a Democrat from Virginia, revealed his decision not to run for re-election to the U.S. House in 2026. Connolly’s announcement comes on the heels of his previously disclosed battle with esophageal cancer. 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.”
First elected in 2008, Connolly began his congressional career after defeating Keith Fimian, a Republican, in a general election with 55% of the vote. Over the years, Connolly experienced significant victories in subsequent elections, typically winning by substantial margins. His most decisive win came in 2018, where he led by a staggering 44 percentage points.
As of April 29, 2025, two independent forecasting entities, The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections, categorized the upcoming 2026 general election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District as “Solid Democratic.” Meanwhile, Sabato’s Crystal Ball has designated it as “Safe Democratic.”
In addition to stepping back from reelection, Connolly intends to resign from his role as the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability for the 119th Congress. This move may usher in a new era of leadership within the committee. According to CBS News’ Kaia Hubbard, “Connolly’s announcement could prompt a generational shift at the top of the Oversight Committee, after a push for a younger crop of Democratic committee leaders late last year as the party sought to combat GOP control of both chambers.”
As of now, 14 members of Congress—five senators and nine representatives—have declared they will not seek re-election in 2026. Among these, four Democrats and five Republicans have made similar announcements. Notably, one Democrat has stated intentions to retire from public life, while an additional three Democrats and one Republican are gearing up for U.S. Senate campaigns. Furthermore, four Republicans aim for gubernatorial runs.
When compared to previous election cycles, the number of retirement announcements this year stands out. At this point in 2024, eight members had decided to step down. In 2022, the figure increased to eleven, while the years 2020 and 2018 saw five and seven announcements, respectively.
Since January 2011, a substantial 361 announcements from Senate and House members have been tracked by Ballotpedia regarding their decisions to not pursue re-election. The start of the year saw the highest monthly total at 69 announcements, contrasting with only 12 in June.
Rep. Gerald Connolly’s decision to retire marks the end of an important chapter in Virginia’s congressional history. His battle with cancer and the shift in leadership dynamics within the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability will certainly alter the landscape for the 2026 elections. With rising retirements among lawmakers, this trend indicates a potential shift not only in party dynamics but also in generational leadership within Congress.
Original Source: news.ballotpedia.org
