Connolly Retires, House Oversight Post Reopens

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), age 75, announced he will not seek reelection and will step down as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee after a recurrence of esophageal cancer, which was first diagnosed in late 2024 and has not responded to recent treatments. Connolly has represented Virginia’s 11th District since 2008 and was a prominent critic of the Trump administration, using his committee position to challenge actions he viewed as threats to law and democratic norms. His departure reopens the ranking member position, which he won last year over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), illustrating generational debates in the Democratic Party. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) will serve as acting ranking member, with Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) seen as potential permanent successors. Connolly expressed gratitude for his three decades of public service and thanked his constituents, staff, and family. His retirement coincides with broader transitions and several high-profile retirements in the Democratic Caucus.