James Walkinshaw wins Democratic contest to likely replace US Rep. Connolly in northern Virginia

FAIRFAX Va AP Democrats and Republicans chose candidates in northern Virginia on Saturday who will vie to replace the late U S Rep Gerry Connolly a Democrat who served the congressional district in the Washington suburbs for years Democrats chose James Walkinshaw who right now serves on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors which oversees the local budget and policies Republicans picked Stewart Whitson an Army veteran and former FBI agent The candidates will compete in a special ballot on Sept to represent Virginia s th Congressional District which is home to more than people and includes Fairfax Reston and Vienna Political observers have declared that the district s Democratic primary likely will determine Connolly s successor in what has become a reliably Democratic district Connolly who greater part in recent months held a prominent position as the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee died last month after battling esophageal cancer The -year-old s death left House Republicans with a - majority in Congress The so-called firehouse primaries for the special referendum were run by the political parties not local governments or the Virginia Department of Elections according to Fairfax County s website Walkinshaw who previously served as Connolly s chief of staff for more than a decade was viewed as the frontrunner leading up to the Democratic primary He had received Connolly s endorsement before the congressman passed away Walkinshaw bested other candidates for the Democratic nomination I m honored and humbled to have earned the Democratic nomination for the district I ve spent my career serving Walkinshaw reported in a written comment posted to X on Saturday This triumph was powered by neighbors supporters and supporters who believe in protecting our democracy defending our freedoms and delivering for working families The Republican nominee meanwhile reported in a comment that it was time to fight to flip the seat With President Trump back in office he s taking bold and aggressive action to get the country back on track Whitson noted But he requirements strong allies in Congress who will help him fix the economic activity protect our families and restore common sense Source