Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., listens at an event, Oct. 22, 2020, in Fairfax, Va. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The long-time Democrat announced the news today after winning reelection this week.
Gerry Connolly, the Democrat representing Virginia’s 11th congressional district, announced Thursday that he has cancer of the esophagus.
Connolly said he learned of his diagnosis a few days ago, and that it came as a surprise, because his only symptoms were intermittent abdominal aches and pains. Connolly plans to undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy soon.
“Cancer can be tough,” Connolly said. “But so am I. I will attack this the only way I know how – with Irish fight and humor.”
Earlier this week, Connolly secured a ninth term in the US House to represent a deep blue district comprising Fairfax City and parts of Fairfax County. Connolly defeated his Republican opponent, Mike Van Meter, by 33 points, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections.
Connolly said he looks forward to continuing his work in Congress.
“Over the next few months as I do my job here in our district and on the Hill, I may be a bit fatigued due to the treatment,” Connolly said. “I hope you’ll understand.”
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Virginians and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Dogwood has always been to empower people across the commonwealth with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Virginia families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
OPINION: A Virginia veteran’s perspective on Venezuela
Without Congressional oversight, where do Virginia families turn for accountability? The Trump administration's seizure of Venezuelan President...
Trump tries to block AI regulations as Virginia lawmakers eye reforms
State lawmakers have tried to regulate artificial intelligence in Virginia for years, but doing so has proved tricky given the complex nature of the...
Epstein email says Trump ‘knew about the girls,’ but White House says release is a Democratic smear
WASHINGTON (AP) — The sex-offending financier Jeffrey Epstein wrote in a 2019 email to a journalist that Donald Trump “knew about the girls,"...
Commentary: A blow to Trumpism as Democrats soar in Virginia
Democrats in Virginia and elsewhere won with the message they would fight back against the excesses of the Trump administration and make voters’...
Obama rallies with Spanberger in Norfolk
The campaign for Abigail Spanberger said 7,000 people attended a rally where Democrats criticized Republicans for worsening inequality and eroding...
Virginia Dems rush to support federal workers during government shutdown
Virginia’s economy was already under pressure from the Trump administration’s cuts to federal funding and a sluggish labor market. The uncertainty...
