Virginia Congressional member dies at age 75

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has died at age 75, only weeks after publicly announcing his cancer had returned.

Connolly died early Wednesday morning, according to a family statement posted on his Congressional website.

“It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family,” the statement says.

Connolly was in his ninth term representing Virginia’s 11th District, which includes Fairfax, according to his online biography. Before being elected to Congress, Connolly was a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for 14 years.

“We were fortunate to share Gerry with Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years because that was his joy, his purpose, and his passion,” the family said in the statement. “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations.”

Connolly, an advocate for federal workers, announced in November he was suffering from esophageal cancer, the Washington Post reported. In April, after the cancer returned, Connolly said he would not seek re-election.