Gerry Connolly

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Gerry Connolly

| image = Gerry Connolly official portrait 2022 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Official portrait, 2022

| office = Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee

| term_start = January 3, 2025

| term_end = May 21, 2025
On leave: April 28, 2025 – May 21, 2025

| predecessor = Jamie Raskin

| successor = Stephen Lynch (acting)

| office1 = President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

| term_start1 = June 21, 2024

| term_end1 = November 25, 2024
Acting

| predecessor1 = Michał Szczerba

| successor1 = Marcos Perestrello

| term_start2 = November 23, 2020

| term_end2 = November 28, 2022

| predecessor2 = Attila Mesterházy

| successor2 = Joëlle Garriaud-Maylam

| state3 = Virginia

| district3 = {{ushr|VA|11|11th}}

| term_start3 = January 3, 2009

| term_end3 = May 21, 2025

| predecessor3 = Tom Davis

| successor3 = Vacant

| office4 = Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

| term_start4 = December 15, 2003

| term_end4 = January 2, 2009

| predecessor4 = Kate Hanley

| successor4 = Sharon Bulova

| office5 = Member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
from the Providence district

| term_start5 = March 28, 1995

| term_end5 = December 15, 2003

| predecessor5 = Kate Hanley

| successor5 = Linda Smyth

| birth_name = Gerald Edward Connolly

| birth_date = {{birth date|1950|3|30}}

| birth_place = Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2025|5|21|1950|3|30}}

| death_place = Mantua, Virginia, U.S.

| party = Democratic

| spouse = Cathy Smith

| children = 1

| education = Maryknoll College (BA)
Harvard University (MPA)

| signature = Gerry Connolly Sig.png

|module = {{Listen

|pos = center

|embed = yes

|filename = Rep. Gerry Connolly on the President's Authority to Launch War Against ISIL.ogg

|title = Connolly's voice

|type = speech

|description = Connolly on the President's authority to launch war on the Islamic State
Recorded September 17, 2014}}

}}

Gerald Edward Connolly (March 30, 1950 – May 21, 2025) was an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 11th congressional district from 2009 until his death in 2025. A Democrat, he was first elected in 2008 to replace retiring Republican incumbent Tom Davis, who did not seek re-election and later resigned shortly after the election. The 11th district is situated in the suburbs of Northern Virginia. It is anchored in the affluent Fairfax County, where Connolly served on the county's board of supervisors before his election to Congress, and also includes the entirety of Fairfax City.

In April 2025, Connolly announced that he would not seek re-election in 2026 citing health concerns. He died in office on May 21, 2025, following a battle with esophageal cancer.

Early life and education

Connolly was born in Boston on March 30, 1950, the son of Mary Therese ({{nee}} O'Kane), a nurse, and Edward R. Connolly, an insurance salesman.{{Biographical Directory of Congress|inline = yes|id = C001078|access-date = December 7, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Mathur |first=Anusha |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/05/21/gerry-connolly-virginia-congressman-dead-obituary/ |title=Gerald Connolly, congressman who protected federal workforce, dies at 75 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 21, 2025 |access-date=May 21, 2025 |url-access=limited}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.fcnp.com/2016/08/19/congressman-gerry-connollys-father-dies-88/ |title=Congressman Gerry Connolly's Father Dies at 88 |work=Falls Church News-Press Online |date=August 19, 2016}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2016/08/21/edward-r-connolly-88-of-w-roxbury-salesman/ |title=Edward R. Connolly, 88,? of W. Roxbury, salesman |newspaper=Boston Herald |date=August 21, 2016}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.currentobituary.com/obit/251628 |title=Mary Therese |website=Current Obituary}} He graduated from Maryknoll Junior Seminary (nicknamed Venard) High School in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, in 1968. In 1971, he graduated from Maryknoll College in Glen Ellyn, Illinois,{{cite web |url=http://www.maryknollestates.com/History_of_Maryknoll.html |title=History of Maryknoll |access-date=March 13, 2016 |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828042001/http://maryknollestates.com/History_of_Maryknoll.html |url-status=dead}} with a Bachelor of Arts in literature, and completed a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School in 1979.

Career

=U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations=

Connolly worked from 1979 to 1989 with the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, where he managed committee oversight of international economic issues, international narcotics control, and United Nations and Middle East policies, and published reports on U.S. policy in El Salvador, Central America, Israel, and the Persian Gulf region.{{cite web|url=http://www.gerryconnolly.com/content/meet-gerry|title=Meet Gerry|access-date=September 26, 2014}} From 1989 to 1997, he was Vice President of the Washington Office of SRI International. He was also Director of Community Relations for SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation).{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=95078|title=Representative Gerald E. 'Gerry' Connolly (VA)|work=Project Vote Smart|access-date=September 26, 2014}}

In local politics, Connolly served as Providence District Supervisor for nine years, first elected in 1995.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/05/21/breaking-rep-gerry-connolly-longtime-fairfax-politician-dies/|title=BREAKING: Rep. Gerry Connolly, longtime Fairfax politician, dies |first=Jared|last=Serre|date=May 21, 2025|website=FFXnow}}

=Fairfax County Board of Supervisors=

File:Fairfax City Parade - 2015-07-04 - Gerry Connolly - 2.JPG Independence Day parade]]

Connolly's career as a public official began on March 28, 1995, when he won a special election for the Providence District seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, defeating Republican Jeannemarie A. Devolites.{{Cite news|title = Democrat Wins Open Seat; Fairfax Board Split|last = Lipton|first = Eric|date = March 29, 1995|newspaper = The Washington Post|id = {{ProQuest|903414664}}}} A rematch against Devolites in November of that same year saw Connolly reelected to a full four-year term on the board.{{Cite news|title = Northern Virginia Election Results|date = November 8, 1995|newspaper = The Washington Post|id = {{ProQuest|903375036}}}} Connolly ran unopposed for reelection in November 1999. He was elected Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2003 and reelected in 2007.

As chairman of the ten-member board, Connolly balanced a $4.5 billion budget and managed a county that would be the nation's 13th-largest city, 12th-largest school district, and sixth-largest office market. He served as chairman of the county's Legislative Committee and vice-chair of the Economic Advisory Committee. Connolly also served as chairman of the board of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), chairman of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), and was chairman of the board of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG). He also represented Fairfax County on the board of the Virginia Association of Counties (VaCo), where he also served as president.{{cite web | url=https://www.vaco.org/county-connections/in-memoriam-u-s-representative-gerald-e-connolly/ | title=IN MEMORIAM: U.S. Representative Gerald E. Connolly }}

U.S. House of Representatives

=Committee assignments=

Committee on the Budget (2009–2011)
Committee on Foreign Affairs (2009–2025)
Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia (2009–2025)
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade (2011–2013)
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific (2013–2025)
Committee on Oversight and Reform (2009–2025; Ranking Member, 2025)
Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia (2011–2013)
Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement (2011–2013)
Subcommittee on Government Operations (chairman; 2013–2025)
Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory Affairs (2013–2025)
U.S. Delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly (chairman; 2013–2025){{Cite web|url=https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1568|title=Connolly Named Chairman of NATO Parliamentary Assembly Delegation|date=February 4, 2019|website=U.S. Congressman Gerry Connolly|access-date=February 6, 2019}}

=Caucus memberships=

American Sikh Congressional Caucus
Congressional Arts Caucus{{cite web|title=Membership|url=https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|publisher=Congressional Arts Caucus|access-date=March 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140644/https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=dead}}
Congressional Taiwan Caucus (co-chair){{cite web|title=House & Senate Taiwan Caucus (2019-2020)

|url=https://fapa.org/wp/house-senate-taiwan-caucus/| publisher=Formosan Association of Public Affiairs|access-date=May 23, 2019}}

Congressional Cloud Computing Caucus (co-chair)
Congressional Cement Caucus
New Democrat Coalition{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|publisher=New Democrat Coalition|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-date=February 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208100356/https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|url-status=dead}}
House Baltic Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://housebalticcaucus.webs.com/members|publisher=House Baltic Caucus|access-date=February 21, 2018}}
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://capac-chu.house.gov/members|publisher=Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus|access-date=May 17, 2018}}
U.S.–Japan Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://usjapancaucus-castro.house.gov/members| publisher=U.S. - Japan Caucus|access-date=December 1, 2018}}
Congressional Solar Caucus{{cite web|title=Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi And Ralph Norman Relaunch The Bipartisan Congressional Solar Caucus For The 118th Congress|author=|url=https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-raja-krishnamoorthi-and-ralph-norman-relaunch-bipartisan|format=|publisher=United States Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi|date=May 25, 2023|accessdate=November 14, 2024}}
Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment{{cite web|title=Membership|author=|url=https://bush.house.gov/era/about/membership|format=|publisher=Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment|date=|accessdate=September 17, 2024}}
Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans{{cite web|title=Members of the Caucus on U.S. - Türkiye Relations & Turkish Americans|author=|url=https://www.tc-america.org/in-congress/caucus.htm|format=|publisher=Turkish Coalition of America|date=|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}
Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus{{cite web|title=Strengthening Conservation Advocacy: Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus Expansion & Reconstitution|author=|url=https://www.refugeassociation.org/news/2023/12/18/strengthening-conservation-advocacy-congressional-wildlife-refuge-caucus-expansion-amp-reconstitution |format=|publisher=National Wildlife Refuge Association|date=December 15, 2023|accessdate=January 22, 2025}}
United States–China Working Group{{cite web|title=Our Mission|author=|url=https://larsen.house.gov/uscwg/ |format=|publisher=U.S.-China Working Group|date=|accessdate=February 26, 2025}}
Rare Disease Caucus{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=March 14, 2025}}

=Legislation sponsored=

Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (H.R. 1232; 113th Congress) As the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Connolly co-sponsored this bill with Darrell Issa. It is a proposed bill that would make changes and reforms to the current framework that manages how the federal government buys new technology.{{cite web|title=H.R. 1232 - Summary|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/1232|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=February 26, 2014}} One of the requirements would be that the government develop a streamlined plan for its acquisitions. The bill would increase the power of existing chief information officers (CIO) within federal agencies so that they could be more effective. Each agency would also be reduced to having only one CIO in the agency, who is then responsible for the success and failure of all IT projects in that agency.{{cite news|last=Marks|first=Joseph|title=IT Reform Act Heads to House Floor Tuesday|url=http://www.nextgov.com/cloud-computing/2014/02/it-reform-act-heads-house-floor-today/79357/|access-date=February 27, 2014|newspaper=NextGov.com|date=February 25, 2014}} The bill would also require the federal government to make use of private sector best practices.{{cite news|last=Hardy|first=Michael|title=House passes FITARA|url=http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20140225/ACQ02/302250009/House-passes-FITARA?odyssey=nav%7Chead|access-date=February 27, 2014|newspaper=Federal Times|date=February 25, 2014|archive-date=February 27, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140227202951/http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20140225/ACQ02/302250009/House-passes-FITARA?odyssey=nav%7Chead|url-status=dead}} The bill is intended to reduce IT procurement related waste.{{cite news|title=Acquisition reform effort hits the House floor|url=http://washingtontechnology.com/articles/2014/02/25/it-bill-vote-today.aspx|access-date=February 27, 2014|newspaper=Washington Technology|date=February 25, 2014}} Explaining the bill, Connolly said that "there are more than 250 identified CIOs in the federal government, yet none possess the necessary authority to effectively manage IT investments" which has "resulted in duplicative and wasteful IT spending." It passed the House in a voice vote on February 25, 2014.{{cite news|last=Kasperowicz|first=Pete|title=House votes unanimously to fix FOIA process|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/199254-house-votes-to-fix-foia-process/|access-date=February 27, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=February 25, 2014}}

Government Reports Elimination Act of 2014 (H.R. 4194; 113th Congress) As the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Connolly co-sponsored this bill with Darrell Issa. It is a proposed bill that would eliminate approximately 100 required federal agency reports that are considered redundant or wasteful.{{cite web|title=CBO - H.R. 4194|date=April 24, 2014|url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45303|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=April 28, 2014}} Connolly argued that "in today's challenging fiscal environment, it is incumbent that we leverage every opportunity to streamline or eliminate antiquated agency reporting requirements that are duplicative, irrelevant or simply ignored."{{cite web|title=Issa, Connolly, Woodall Praise Passage of Government Reports Elimination Act|url=http://oversight.house.gov/release/issa-connolly-woodall-praise-passage-government-reports-elimination-act/|publisher=Committee on Oversight and Government Reform|access-date=April 29, 2014|date=April 28, 2014}} The bill passed in the House in a voice vote on April 28, 2014.{{cite web|title=H.R. 4194 - All Actions|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4194/all-actions/|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=April 28, 2014}}

In the 117th United States Congress, the Center for Effective Lawmaking's legislative effectiveness scores ranked Connolly as the most effective legislator.{{Cite web |title=Highlights from the New 117th Congress Legislative Effectiveness Scores – Center for Effective Lawmaking |url=https://thelawmakers.org/legislative-effectiveness-scores/highlights-from-the-new-117th-congress-legislative-effectiveness-scores |access-date=April 6, 2025 |language=en-US}}

Political positions

Connolly voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight analysis completed in January 2023.{{Cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Aaron |last2=Wiederkehr |first2=Anna |date=April 22, 2021 |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423141050/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=FiveThirtyEight |language=en}}

= Abortion =

Connolly supported abortion rights.{{cite web|url=http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/pro-choice-voter-guide/race/va-11.html |title=Virginia District 11 :: NARAL Pro-Choice America |publisher=Prochoiceamerica.org |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706151706/http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/pro-choice-voter-guide/race/va-11.html |archive-date=July 6, 2011}} He voted against the Stupak Amendment to the Affordable Care Act, which placed stringent limits on health insurance companies offering abortion services. During the budget amendments process in 2011, he voted against an amendment that would have prevented taxpayer funds from going to Planned Parenthood.{{cite web|url=http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/rep_bios.php?rep_id=50067187&category=views&id=20100506104040 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009002704/http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/rep_bios.php?rep_id=50067187&category=views&id=20100506104040 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 9, 2011 |title=Gerry Connolly – Abortion |publisher=Thepoliticalguide.com |access-date=October 19, 2011}}

= Civil liberties =

Connolly voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 regarding funding the US Armed Forces, including the paychecks delivered to soldiers but also including a controversial provision that allows the government and the military to detain anyone "who was part of or substantially supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners", and anyone who commits a "belligerent act" against the United States or its coalition allies in aid of such enemy forces, under the law of war, "without trial, until the end of the hostilities authorized by the Authorization of Use of Military Force." The law would not grant new powers to the President but does codify federal court rulings on this issue and the detainment of unlawful combatants until hostilities are over is in accordance to the Geneva Conventions.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/ndaa-bill-how-did-your-congress-member-vote-384362 |title=NDAA Bill: How Did Your Congress Member Vote? |publisher=Ibtimes.com |date=December 16, 2011 |access-date=August 13, 2014}}112th Congress, 1st Session, H1540CR.HSE: [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr1540enr/pdf/BILLS-112hr1540enr.pdf "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012."] pp. 265-266.

= Donald Trump =

Connolly voted in favor of the articles of the first impeachment of Donald Trump. He said during debate on the articles that extorting "a foreign country to investigate your political opponent is an unconstitutional abuse of power. To solicit foreign interference in an American election is an unconstitutional abuse of power."{{cite web|url=https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3724|title=Connolly Statement in Support of Articles of Impeachment|date=December 18, 2019|publisher=connolly.house.gov}}

He criticized a Republican-backed bill to rename Dulles International Airport after Trump. Referencing Trump's several felony charges, he said "If Republicans want to name something after him, I suggest they find a federal prison."{{cite web|last=Pengelly|first=Martin|date=April 2, 2024|title=Republicans propose renaming Dulles airport after Trump as 'symbol of freedom'|website=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/02/republicans-dulles-airport-trump|access-date=April 2, 2024}}

= Economics =

Connolly voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll046.xml|title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 46|date=January 28, 2009|access-date=February 18, 2010}} the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009,{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2009-265 |title=GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 2346 [111th]: Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 |publisher=Govtrack.us |date=May 14, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2011}} the supplemental appropriations bill that established Cash for Clunkers, and the Cash for Clunkers Extension.{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2009-682 |title=GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 3435 [111th]: Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year |publisher=Govtrack.us |date=July 31, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2011}} Additionally, he voted for all of the 2010 governmental appropriations bills,{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2009-637 |title=GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 3288 [111th]: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 |publisher=Govtrack.us |date=July 23, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2009-475 |title=GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 2996 [111th]: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related |publisher=Govtrack.us |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2009-450 |title=GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 2892 [111th]: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 |publisher=Govtrack.us |date=June 24, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2009-510 |title=GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 2997 [111th]: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug |publisher=Govtrack.us |date=July 9, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2009-675 |title=GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 3326 [111th]: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 |publisher=Govtrack.us |date=July 30, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2009-592 |title=GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 3183 [111th]: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies |publisher=Govtrack.us |date=July 17, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2011}} and he voted for the Continuing Appropriations Act for 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2009-525 |title=GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 3081 [111th]: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 |publisher=Govtrack.us |date=July 9, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2011}} He voted against some large spending bills, including the release of $350 billion in bank bailout funds{{cite web|url=http://waysandmeans.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=11185 |title=The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 |date=May 28, 2010 |access-date=October 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103082230/http://waysandmeans.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=11185 |archive-date=November 3, 2010}} and a $154 billion spending bill[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll991.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 991]. clerk.house.gov December 16, 2009 because of concerns these would add to the federal deficit.{{cite web|url=http://connolly.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=44&parentid=6§iontree=6,44&itemid=358|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704183044/http://connolly.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=44&parentid=6§iontree=6,44&itemid=358|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 4, 2010|title=Connolly Cites Deficit in Voting Against $115 Billion Spending Bill|date=May 28, 2010|access-date=October 8, 2010}}

He was a cosponsor of pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget legislation that was signed into law in February 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/story/print?guid=9D7BFE95-469A-43E2-BC9D-11DEC8E2D415|title=Connolly, Fimian make another swing for Virginia district |date=July 23, 2010|access-date=October 8, 2010|author-first1=Robert|author-last1=Schroeder|website=MarketWatch}}

In May 2011, Connolly voted to increase the debt ceiling, but the measure failed by a significant margin.[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll379.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 379]. clerk.house.gov May 31, 2011 It was his third such vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.politifact.com/virginia/article/2011/may/17/most-virginia-congressmen-have-backed-debt-limit-i/ |title=Most of Virginia congressmen have backed debt limit increases |publisher=PolitiFact |access-date=October 19, 2011|author-first1=Warren|author-last1=Fiske|date=May 17, 2011}}

Connolly was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4029522-republicans-and-democrats-who-bucked-party-leaders-by-voting-no/|title=Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no|first=Jared|last=Gans|date=May 31, 2023|access-date=June 6, 2023|work=The Hill}}

= Energy =

Connolly voted in favor of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009,{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=26496&can_id=95078 |title=Project Vote Smart – Representative Connolly on HR 2454 – Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade") |publisher=Votesmart.org |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=November 5, 2010}} saying it would strengthen national security while spurring innovation in the energy industry.{{cite web |url=http://connolly.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=44&parentid=6§iontree=6,44&itemid=162 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804231820/http://connolly.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=44&parentid=6§iontree=6,44&itemid=162 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 4, 2009 |title=Congressman Gerry Connolly : News : Connolly Statement on American Clean Energy and Security Act |publisher=Connolly.house.gov |access-date=November 5, 2010}} In 2010, he voted in favor of ending a moratorium on deepwater drilling rigs that met certain safety standards.{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=31678&can_id=95078 |title=Project Vote Smart – Representative Connolly on H Amdt 773 – Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards |publisher=Votesmart.org |access-date=November 5, 2010}} Connolly was one of the 35 congressmen who founded the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.{{cite web |url=http://www.house.gov/inslee/SEEC/members.html |title=Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition |publisher=House.gov |date=September 23, 2010 |access-date=November 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102041018/http://www.house.gov/inslee/SEEC/members.html |archive-date=November 2, 2010}}

=LGBT issues=

Connolly supported gay rights, having campaigned against the Marshall-Newman Amendment to the Virginia Constitution, which banned all gay unions from being performed or recognized in Virginia.{{cite web |url=http://www.zimbio.com/Gerry+Connolly/articles/2/House+candidates+diverge+gay+issues+Va |title=U.S. House candidates diverge on gay issues in Va. – Gerry Connolly |publisher=Zimbio |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811022238/http://www.zimbio.com/Gerry+Connolly/articles/2/House+candidates+diverge+gay+issues+Va |archive-date=August 11, 2012}} In Congress, he voted in favor of repealing the contentious "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law that prohibited gays from serving openly in the military. He co-sponsored bills that would repeal portions of the Defense of Marriage Act—a federal law that had effectively banned same-sex marriage across the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/rep_bios.php?rep_id=50067187&category=views&id=20100506104041 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009002732/http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/rep_bios.php?rep_id=50067187&category=views&id=20100506104041 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 9, 2011 |title=Gerry Connolly – Gay Marriage |publisher=Thepoliticalguide.com |access-date=October 19, 2011}}

= Guns =

While on the Board of Supervisors for Fairfax County, Connolly sponsored an ordinance that would have made it illegal to transport a loaded shotgun in the back of one's car.{{cite web|url=http://bluevirginia.us/showDiary.do?diaryId=4951 |title=Blue Virginia:: Rep. Gerry Connolly: Intensity Matters on the Gun Issue |work=Blue Virginia |access-date=September 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212191248/http://bluevirginia.us/showDiary.do?diaryId=4951 |archive-date=February 12, 2015}} In Congress, Connolly signed on to a measure that would have closed the gun show loophole by requiring that private sellers of firearms at gun shows engage in the same background check and reporting requirements as registered firearms dealers.[http://www.issues2000.org/VA/Gerry_Connolly_Gun_Control.htm Gerry Connolly on Gun Control]. Issues2000.org. Retrieved on March 7, 2012. Connolly opposed allowing concealed weapons in schools and on college campuses.{{cite web|url=http://gerryconnolly.com/news/403|title=Keith Fimian Says College Students Should "Pack Heat" - Gerry Connolly For Congress|access-date=September 26, 2014}}

In November 2011, Connolly voted against the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act, which would have exempted non-residents of states that prohibit concealed weapons from those restrictions.{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/index.asp|title=U.S. House of Representatives Roll Call Votes|access-date=September 26, 2014}}

= Health care =

In 2009, Connolly was an early supporter of the Democratic health care plan, which ultimately became the America's Affordable Health Choices Act, as well as the public health insurance option, saying at a live chat with constituents in September to a woman from Washington, D.C. that "One of my principles for health care reform is that it increases the choices you have. By setting up a health insurance exchange, we can give your family more insurance choices, hopefully including one that your daughter's doctor chooses to accept". Connolly voted against the Stupak-Pitts Amendment,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/09/15/DI2009091502448.html|title=Washington Post – Rep. Gerald Connolly On Health Reform|date=September 24, 2009|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 18, 2010}} and in 2010 for the America's Affordable Health Choices Act.

Connolly cited deficit reduction in explaining his health care vote.{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/politics/article/rep-gerry-connolly-in-trouble-after-health-care-vote/19423395|title=Congressman in Trouble After Health Care Vote|last=Stone|first=Andrea|date=April 4, 2010|publisher=AOL News|access-date=April 5, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407053723/http://www.aolnews.com/politics/article/rep-gerry-connolly-in-trouble-after-health-care-vote/19423395|archive-date=April 7, 2010}}{{cite web|author1=Jessica Banthin |author2=Sarah Masi |url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/44176 |title=CBO's Estimate of the Net Budgetary Impact of the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Coverage Provisions Has Not Changed Much Over Time - CBO |publisher=Cbo.gov |date=May 14, 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2014}}

= Marijuana =

Connolly supported rescheduling marijuana to expand its availability for research and medicine.{{Citation| contribution = MIXED SIGNALS: THE ADMINISTRATION’S POLICY ON MARIJUANA, PART FOUR—THE HEALTH EFFECTS AND SCIENCE| date= June 20, 2014|access-date=December 24, 2019| title = HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES| publisher = U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE| pages=66–67| contribution-url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-113hhrg89729/pdf/CHRG-113hhrg89729.pdf}}

= Military veterans =

Connolly was a cosponsor of the Helping Active Duty Deployed ActHelping Active Duty Deployed Act of 2009 and the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act.{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1016 |title=H.R. 1016: Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 |publisher=GovTrack.us |access-date=November 5, 2010}}

= Foreign issues =

Connolly supported military intervention in Syria.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rep-gerald-e-connolly-faces-constituents-ire-in-making-the-case-for-striking-syria/2013/09/05/827351f4-1646-11e3-be6e-dc6ae8a5b3a8_story.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911084347/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-09-05/politics/41801169_1_syria-majority-leader-eric-cantor-weapons | url-status=live | archive-date=September 11, 2013 | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=David | last=Nakamura | title=Rep. Gerald E. Connolly faces constituents' ire in making the case for striking Syria | date=September 6, 2013}}

Connolly voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.{{Cite news |last=Demirjian |first=Karoun |date=October 25, 2023 |title=House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/us/politics/house-israel-vote.html |access-date=October 30, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last1=Washington |first1=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=October 25, 2023 |title=Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023528 |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}} In the wake of the attack, he voted against recognizing anti-Zionism as a form of antisemitism.{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/which-democrats-voted-against-antizionism-antisemitism-resolution-2023-12 | title=These 105 Democrats declined to vote for a resolution declaring 'anti-Zionism is antisemitism' | website=Business Insider}}

Connolly voted in favor of three military aid package supplementals for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan respectively in April 2024, along with most Democrats.{{Cite web |last1=Washington |first1=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=April 20, 2024 |title=Roll Call 152 Roll Call 152, Bill Number: H. R. 8034, 118th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024152?Page=1 |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Washington |first1=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=April 20, 2024 |title=Roll Call 151 Roll Call 151, Bill Number: H. R. 8035, 118th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024151?Page=1 |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Washington |first1=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=April 20, 2024 |title=Roll Call 146 Roll Call 146, Bill Number: H. R. 8036, 118th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024146?Page=1 |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}} After all three bills successfully passed the House, he criticized House Republicans for delaying voting.{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2024 |title=Connolly Statement on Passage of Security Supplementals in the House |url=https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4995 |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=U.S. Congressman Gerry Connolly |language=en}}

Political campaigns

=2008=

{{See also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 11}}

Connolly scored a 24-point victory over his closest opponent, former Congresswoman Leslie L. Byrne, in the 2008 Democratic primary. He then defeated Republican nominee Keith Fimian by more than ten points for the open seat held by Republican incumbent Tom Davis.{{cite news|url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-11|title=District Detail: VA-11|publisher=CQ Politics|access-date=February 20, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211195320/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-11|archive-date=December 11, 2008}} The Independent Green Party candidate was Joseph P. Oddo.

=2010=

{{See also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 11}}

Connolly was challenged again by Fimian in 2010. Also running were Libertarian David L. Dotson, Independent Green David William Gillis, Jr., and Independent Christopher F. DeCarlo. Connolly won by fewer than a thousand votes.{{cite news |title=Fimian will concede defeat to Connolly in 11th district |first=Ben |last=Pershing |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 8, 2010 |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/11/fimian_will_concede_defeat_to.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008001910/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/11/fimian_will_concede_defeat_to.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 8, 2012}}

=2012=

{{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 11}}

Connolly was challenged by Republican nominee Chris Perkins, Green nominee Joe Galdo and independent candidates Peter Marchetti, Chris DeCarlo and Mark Gibson. He received 61% of the vote.{{cite news|title=Virginia's 11th Congressional District elections, 2012|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia%27s_11th_Congressional_District_elections,_2012|website=www.ballotpedia.org|access-date=April 12, 2016}} Connolly was significantly aided by redistricting. The old 11th had been reckoned a swing district, though Davis had held it without serious difficulty due to his popularity in the area. Redistricting made the 11th significantly more Democratic than its predecessor. Barack Obama carried the old 11th with 57% of the vote in 2008, but would have carried it with 61% of the vote under the new lines—making it one of the most Democratic white-majority districts in the South.

=2014=

{{See also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 11}}

Connolly faced Republican Suzanne Scholte, Green Joe Galdo, and Libertarian Marc Harrold in his reelection bid, winning with 56.86% of the vote.{{cite web|title=Virginia's 11th Congressional District elections, 2014|url=http://ballotpedia.org/Virginia%27s_11th_Congressional_District_elections,_2014|website=www.ballotpedia.org|access-date=October 20, 2014}}

=2016=

{{See also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 11}}

Connolly ran unopposed for reelection in 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.elections.virginia.gov/Files/CastYourBallot/CandidateList/20161108-NovGen-State-List_of_Candidates_By_Office_District.pdf|title=Commonwealth of Virginia. List of Candidates|access-date=June 26, 2023|archive-date=May 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511100948/http://www.elections.virginia.gov/Files/CastYourBallot/CandidateList/20161108-NovGen-State-List_of_Candidates_By_Office_District.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=GOP opts against fielding candidate to run against Connolly|newspaper=The Washington Times|date=June 14, 2016|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/14/gop-opts-against-fielding-candidate-to-run-against/|access-date=May 15, 2023}} He was reelected with 87.89% of the vote.[http://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2016%20November%20General/Site/Congress.html Election results] virginia.gov {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118223726/http://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2016%20November%20General/Site/Congress.html |date=November 18, 2016}}

=2018=

{{See also|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 11}}

Connolly faced Republican challenger, U.S. Army veteran Jeff Dove and Libertarian Stevan Porter in the 2018 election.{{cite web |url=https://fairfaxfreecitizen.com/2017/04/25/iraq-war-vet-jeff-dove-will-seek-gop-nomination-vas-11th-congressional-district/ |title=Iraq War Vet Jeff Dove Will Seek GOP Nomination in VA's 11th Congressional District |website=fairfaxfreecitizen.com |date=April 25, 2017 |access-date=July 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809000142/https://fairfaxfreecitizen.com/2017/04/25/iraq-war-vet-jeff-dove-will-seek-gop-nomination-vas-11th-congressional-district/ |archive-date=August 9, 2017 |url-status=dead}}

=2020=

{{See also|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 11}}

Connolly faced a progressive primary challenger, Zainab Mohsini, ahead of the general election, his first primary challenger. Connolly won the Democratic primary against Mohsini. Connolly defeated Republican Manga Anantatmula in the 2020 election.{{cite web |url=https://wjla.com/news/local/democrat-gerry-connolly-wins-re-election-in-virginias-district-11/ |title=Democrat Gerry Connolly wins re-election in Virginia's District 11 |website=wjla.com |date=November 3, 2020 |access-date=December 11, 2020}}

= 2022 =

{{See also|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 11}}

Connolly faced Republican challenger, retired administrative law judge Jim Myles in the 2022 election.{{Cite web |author=Heather Zwicker |date=May 13, 2022 |title=Jim Myles will face Gerry Connolly for 11th District seat |url=https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/fairfax_county/jim-myles-will-face-gerry-connolly-for-11th-district-seat/article_a0860054-d22d-11ec-b9e8-0fe3a0014d7f.html |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=Fairfax County Times |language=en}} He was reelected with 66.7% of the vote.{{Cite news |date=November 8, 2022 |title=Virginia 11th Congressional District Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-virginia-us-house-district-11.html |access-date=May 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

= 2024 =

Connolly faced a primary challenger, attorney Ahsan Nasar, whom he defeated with 85.64% of the vote.{{cite web | url=https://enr.elections.virginia.gov/results/public/Virginia/elections/2024_June_Democratic_Primary | title=Election Results}} In the general election, Connolly defeated Republican challenger Mike Van Meter with 66.68% of the vote.{{cite web | url=https://enr.elections.virginia.gov/results/public/Virginia/elections/2024NovemberGeneral | title=Election Results}}

Electoral history

{{hidden begin|toggle=left|title=Gerry Connolly electoral history}}

= Fairfax County Board of Supervisors =

{{Election box begin no change|title=1995 Fairfax County Board of Supervisors special election{{cite web|url=https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/sites/elections/files/Assets/result/historical/1995_03_MARCH_SPECIAL_RESULTS.pdf|title=Official Returns - Special Election - March 28, 1995 - Fairfax County, Virginia|website=Fairfax County, Virginia|accessdate=May 28, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly

|votes = 4,478

|percentage = 59.05%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jeannemarie Devolites Davis

|votes = 3,104

|percentage = 40.93%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 2

|percentage = 0.03%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 7,584

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=1995 Fairfax County Board of Supervisors general election{{cite web|url=https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/sites/elections/files/Assets/result/historical/1995_11_NOVEMBER_GENERAL_RESULTS.pdf|title=Official Returns - General and Special Elections - November 7, 1995 - Fairfax County, Virginia|website=Fairfax County, Virginia|accessdate=May 28, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 10,578

|percentage = 55.82%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jeannemarie Devolites Davis

|votes = 8,371

|percentage = 44.18%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 18,949

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=1999 Fairfax County Board of Supervisors general election{{cite web|url=https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/sites/elections/files/Assets/result/historical/1999_11_NOVEMBER_GENERAL_RESULTS.pdf|title=Final Returns - General Election - November 2, 1999|website=Fairfax County, Virginia|accessdate=May 28, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 14,309

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 14,309

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2003 Fairfax County Board of Supervisors general election{{cite web|url=https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/sites/elections/files/Assets/result/historical/2003_11_NOVEMBER_GENERAL_RESULTS.pdf|title=Unofficial Returns - General Election - November 4, 2003|website=Fairfax County, Virginia|accessdate=May 28, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 98,419

|percentage = 53.14%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Mychele B. Brickner

|votes = 81,319

|percentage = 43.91%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = Jeremy G. Good

|votes = 3,119

|percentage = 1.68%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = C.W. "Levi" Levy

|votes = 2,346

|percentage = 1.27%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 185,203

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2007 Fairfax County Board of Supervisors general election{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/31354/|title=2007 Chairman of the Board of Supervisors General Election - Fairfax County|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 28, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 113,830

|percentage = 59.47%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Gary H. Baise

|votes = 68,403

|percentage = 35.74%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = Glenda Gail Parker

|votes = 8,990

|percentage = 4.70%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 185

|percentage = 0.10%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 191,408

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

= U.S. House of Representatives =

{{Election box open primary begin no change|title=2008 Virginia 11th congressional district election{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/39129/|title=2008 U.S. House Democratic Primary - District 11|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 27, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/39133/|title=2008 U.S. House General Election - District 11|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 27, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly

|votes = 14,233

|percentage = 57.92%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Leslie Byrne

|votes = 8,196

|percentage = 33.35%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Douglas J. Denneny

|votes = 1,508

|percentage = 6.14%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Lori P. Alexander

|votes = 638

|percentage = 2.60%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 24,575

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly

|votes = 196,598

|percentage = 54.69%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Keith S. Fimian

|votes = 154,758

|percentage = 43.05%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = Joseph P. Oddo

|votes = 7,271

|percentage = 2.02%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 864

|percentage = 0.24%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 359,491

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2010 Virginia 11th congressional district election{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/27449/|title=2010 U.S. House General Election - District 11|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 27, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 111,720

|percentage = 49.23%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Keith S. Fimian

|votes = 110,739

|percentage = 48.79%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = Christopher Francis DeCarlo

|votes = 1,846

|percentage = 0.81%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = David L. Dotson

|votes = 1,382

|percentage = 0.61%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = David William Gillis, Jr.

|votes = 959

|percentage = 0.42%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 305

|percentage = 0.13%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 226,951

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2012 Virginia 11th congressional district election{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/44971/|title=2012 U.S. House General Election - District 11|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 27, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 202,606

|percentage = 60.89%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Christopher S. Perkins

|votes = 117,902

|percentage = 35.43%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = Mark Timothy Gibson

|votes = 3,806

|percentage = 1.14%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = Christopher Francis DeCarlo

|votes = 3,027

|percentage = 0.91%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Green Party of the United States

|candidate = Joseph Francis Galdo

|votes = 2,195

|percentage = 0.66%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent Greens of Virginia

|candidate = Peter Matthew Marchetti

|votes = 1,919

|percentage = 0.58%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 1,300

|percentage = 0.39%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 332,755

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2014 Virginia 11th congressional district election{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/44490/|title=2014 U.S. House General Election - District 11|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 27, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 106,780

|percentage = 56.93%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Suzanne Scholte

|votes = 75,796

|percentage = 40.41%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Marc McCullough Harrold

|votes = 3,264

|percentage = 1.74%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Green Party of the United States

|candidate = Joseph Francis Galdo

|votes = 1,739

|percentage = 0.93%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 226

|percentage = 0.12%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 187,579

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2016 Virginia 11th congressional district election{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/80920/|title=2016 U.S. House General Election - District 11|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 27, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 247,818

|percentage = 87.78%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 34,504

|percentage = 12.22%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 282,322

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2018 Virginia 11th congressional district election{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/134109/|title=2018 U.S. House General Election - District 11|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 27, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 219,191

|percentage = 71.10%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jeffery Anthony Dove, Jr

|votes = 83,023

|percentage = 26.93%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Stevan Michael Porter

|votes = 5,546

|percentage = 1.80%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 513

|percentage = 0.17%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 308,273

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change|title=2020 Virginia 11th congressional district election{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/139762/|title=2020 U.S. House Democratic Primary - District 11|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 28, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/144619/|title=2020 U.S. House General Election - District 11|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 28, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 50,626

|percentage = 77.60%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Zainab Masooma Mohsini

|votes = 14,610

|percentage = 22.39%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 5

|percentage = 0.01%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 65,241

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 280,725

|percentage = 71.39%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Manga Alamelu Anantatmula

|votes = 111,380

|percentage = 28.32%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 1,136

|percentage = 0.29%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 393,241

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2022 Virginia 11th congressional district election{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/156424/|title=2022 U.S. House General Election - District 11|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 28, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 193,190

|percentage = 66.70%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = James G. Myles

|votes = 95,634

|percentage = 33.02%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 828

|percentage = 0.29%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 289,652

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change|title=2024 Virginia 11th congressional district election{{cite web|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/165942/|title=2024 U.S. House Democratic Primary - District 11|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 28, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://enr.elections.virginia.gov/results/public/Virginia/elections/2024NovemberGeneral/ballot-items/01000000-c7a0-1ae0-8dc7-08dcde4d9dc6|title=2024 November General - Member, House of Representatives (11th District)|website=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia|accessdate=May 28, 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 37,378

|percentage = 85.64%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Ahsan M. Nasar

|votes = 6,270

|percentage = 14.36%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 43,648

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerry Connolly (incumbent)

|votes = 273,529

|percentage = 66.68%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Mike L. Van Meter

|votes = 134,802

|percentage = 32.86%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 1,855

|percentage = 0.45%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 410,186

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

= Summary =

|+ Fairfax County Board of Supervisors: Results 1995—2007

! Year

! Subject

! Party

! Votes

! %

! Opponent

! Party

! Votes

! %

! Opponent

! Party

! Votes

! %

|1995-Special

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |4,478

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |59.0

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Jeannemarie Devolites Davis

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |3,104

|{{party shading/Republican}} |40.9

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |2

|{{party shading/Independent}} |0.0

|1995

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |10,578

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |55.8

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Jeannemarie Devolites Davis

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |8,371

|{{party shading/Republican}} |44.2

|1999

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |14,309

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |100.0

|Unopposed

|2003

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |98,419

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |53.1

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Mychele B. Brickner

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |81,319

|{{party shading/Republican}} |43.9

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |5,465

|{{party shading/Independent}} |3.0

|2007

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |113,830

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |59.5

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Gary H. Baise

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |68,403

|{{party shading/Republican}} |35.7

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |9,175

|{{party shading/Independent}} |4.8

|+ {{U.S. House of Representatives abbreviation|Virginia|11|}}: Results 2008—2024

! Year

! Subject

! Party

! Votes

! %

! Opponent

! Party

! Votes

! %

! Opponent

! Party

! Votes

! %

|2008

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |196,598

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |54.7

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Keith Fimian

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |154,758

|{{party shading/Republican}} |43.0

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |8,135

|{{party shading/Independent}} |2.3

|2010

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |111,720

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |49.2

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Keith Fimian

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |110,739

|{{party shading/Republican}} |48.8

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |4,492

|{{party shading/Independent}} |2.0

|2012

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |202,606

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |60.9

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Christopher Perkins

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |117,902

|{{party shading/Republican}} |35.4

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |12,247

|{{party shading/Independent}} |3.7

|2014

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |106,780

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |56.9

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Suzanne Scholte

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |75,796

|{{party shading/Republican}} |40.4

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |5,229

|{{party shading/Independent}} |2.8

|2016

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |247,818

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |87.8

|Unopposed

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |34,504

|{{party shading/Independent}} |12.2

|2018

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |219,191

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |71.1

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Jeff Dove

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |83,023

|{{party shading/Republican}} |26.9

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |6,052

|{{party shading/Independent}} |2.0

|2020

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |280,725

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |71.4

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Manga Anantatmula

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |111,380

|{{party shading/Republican}} |28.3

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |1,136

|{{party shading/Independent}} |0.3

|2022

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |193,190

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |66.7

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Jim Myles

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |95,634

|{{party shading/Republican}} |33.0

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |852

|{{party shading/Independent}} |0.3

|2024

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gerald Connolly

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |273,529

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |66.7

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Michael Van Meter

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |134,802

|{{party shading/Republican}} |32.9

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Others

|{{party shading/Independent}} |

|{{party shading/Independent}} |1,855

|{{party shading/Independent}} |0.5

Personal life

File:Fairfax City Parade - 2015-07-04 - Gerry Connolly - 4.JPG July 4 parade]]

Connolly and his wife Cathy lived in Mantua.{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Keith |title=Connolly to run for Davis seat |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-messenger-connolly-to-run-for-d/166539851/ |access-date=February 23, 2025 |work=News & Messenger |date=February 15, 2008 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Connolly was also a company member of The Providence Players of Fairfax, a community theatre in Fairfax County, having acted in several of their shows.{{cite news|url=http://www.fcnp.com/410/nn.htm|title=Falls Church News & Notes|publisher=Falls Church News Press|access-date=April 5, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522104201/http://www.fcnp.com/410/nn.htm|archive-date=May 22, 2011}}

=Legal issues=

In 2004, Connolly was charged with "a misdemeanor count of hit and run" after causing an estimated $500 worth of property damage to a 2003 Ford Explorer and Connolly's 2003 Toyota Camry. Connolly claims he did not realize a collision took place when he swerved and then immediately stalled, forcing the Explorer to collide into Connolly's left front wheel. The Fairfax County Police Department was criticized for giving Connolly special treatment and potentially saving him from being forced to resign for a felony instead of a misdemeanor charge.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2004/05/20/connolly-charged-with-misdemeanor/3a824e88-a44f-4b20-8f0a-fa3630334c37/|title=Connolly Charged With Misdemeanor|author=Tom Jackman|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 15, 2021|date=May 20, 2004}} Judge Craig Johnston later dismissed the misdemeanor charge against Connolly, saying Connolly's "position and his duties have caused him to be oblivious to what is going on in his car".{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2004/10/27/judge-clears-connolly-in-hit-and-run/c066c356-dc1c-4d49-9476-15a9e03fb941/|title=Judge Clears Connolly in Hit-and-Run|author=Lisa Rein|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 15, 2021|date=October 27, 2004}} David Freddoso criticized the judge's ruling in the Washington Examiner.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/dccc-forgets-rule-about-throwing-stones-in-va-11|title=DCCC forgets rule about 'throwing stones' in VA-11|author=David Freddoso|publisher=Washington Examiner|access-date=February 15, 2021|date=October 29, 2010}}

=2023 attack=

On May 15, 2023, two of Connolly's staffers were injured when a man walked into his Fairfax, Virginia, office and attacked them with a baseball bat. The U.S. Capitol Police identified the man as 49-year-old Xuan Kha Tran Pham, of Fairfax. Connolly was not in the office at the time of the attack.{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Jack |title=Man with baseball bat attacks 2 staff members in Congressman Gerry Connolly's Fairfax office |url=https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2023/05/person-with-baseball-bat-attacks-2-staff-members-in-congressman-gerry-connollys-fairfax-office/ |website=WTOP |date=May 15, 2023 |access-date=May 15, 2023}} Pham was also charged with a racial hate crime for an incident that had occurred several hours earlier when he smashed a car windshield after asking the occupant if she was white.{{cite web |last1=Stabley |first1=Matthew |title=2 Staffers Attacked With Baseball Bat at Rep. Connolly's Virginia Office |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/2-staffers-attacked-at-rep-connollys-virginia-office/3348448/ |website=NBC 4 Washington|date=May 15, 2023}} Pham was acquitted of the bat attack by reason of insanity.{{Cite web |last=Barakat |first=Matthew |date=August 26, 2024 |title=Judge accepts insanity plea from man who attacked Virginia congressman's office with bat |url=https://wjla.com/news/local/fairfax-county-virginia-congressman-gerry-connolly-attack-xuan-kha-tran-pham-insanity-plea-virginia-crime-two-staffers-injured?photo=2 |access-date=May 22, 2025 |website=WJLA |language=en}}

=Illness and death=

In November 2024, shortly after being reelected, Connolly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer after experiencing slight stomach pain.{{cite web|url=https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/madison/politics/2024/11/07/rep--gerry-connolly-esophagal-cancer-diagnosis|title=Virginia Rep. Connolly diagnosed with esophageal cancer|publisher=Spectrum News|accessdate=November 7, 2024|date=November 7, 2024}} He said he planned to undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In April 2025, he announced that his cancer had returned and that he would be retiring at the end of his term.{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2025 |title=Rep. Gerry Connolly on X: "An updated note to my constituents" |url=https://x.com/GerryConnolly/status/1916866858126320041 |website=X}} He died at his Fairfax County home on May 21, 2025.{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Melissa |title=Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly dies at 75 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gerry-connolly-dead-age-75-virginia-democrat/ |access-date=May 21, 2025 |work=CBS News |date=May 21, 2025}}

References

External links

[http://connolly.house.gov/ Congressman Gerry Connolly] official U.S. House website
{{IMDb name| 8231605}}
[http://www.gerryconnolly.com/ Gerry Connolly for Congress]

{{CongLinks | congbio=C001078 | votesmart=95078 | fec=H8VA11062 | congress=gerald-connolly/1959}}