Democratic Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia has passed away at the age of 75 following a battle with esophageal cancer, as confirmed by his family in a statement released on Wednesday.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father, husband, brother, friend, and committed public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, has died peacefully at home this morning, surrounded by his family,” the statement shared on Connolly’s X account stated.
Connolly recently held the position of the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. However, he announced last month that he would step down due to the return of his cancer.
The congressman had been elected to this prominent leadership role in December, prevailing against a challenge from progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., despite having made his cancer diagnosis public just a month prior.
This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.
