Virginia 11th District Special Election Nears Balance Shift in U.S. House

A special election in Virginia's 11th Congressional District is underway to fill the seat left vacant by the late Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly. The district is a wealthy, heavily Democratic suburb of Washington, D.C., where Democrats are favored to retain the seat with candidate James Walkinshaw, a Fairfax County supervisor and former chief of staff to Connolly, leading the race. Republican Stewart Whitson, a combat veteran and former FBI agent, views the election as a rare opportunity to flip the seat, which Republicans have not won since 2006, and to strengthen their narrow majority in the House. Democrats currently hold a slim minority in the House, and this election, along with upcoming special elections in Arizona and Texas, could affect the balance of power. While the district's history and demographics favor Democrats, Whitson emphasizes issues like school policies and positions himself as an America First conservative ready to advance the Republican agenda. The election is also seen as a bellwether for the 2026 midterms, with both parties keenly watching the outcome for its broader political implications.