CNN —
Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia died Wednesday morning at his home, according to a statement from his family. He was 75.
“We were fortunate to share Gerry with Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years because that was his joy, his purpose, and his passion. His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations,” his family said in part.
“We thank you for your love of Gerry, and how he loved you all so much.”
Last month, Connolly announced that he would not seek reelection and would soon step down from his leadership position on the powerful House Oversight Committee, saying at the time that his esophageal cancer had returned. The congressman had first shared his diagnosis in November.
“When I announced my diagnosis six months ago, I promised transparency. After grueling treatments, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned. I’ll do everything possible to continue to represent you and thank you for your grace,” he said in a statement at the time.
Connolly has served as a congressman from Virginia’s 11th district, which includes parts of northern Virginia, since 2009. Before that, he served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for 14 years.
On Wednesday, he was remembered by his family as someone who “lived his life to give back to others and make our community better.”
“He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just,” the family said.
Colleagues and friends of the late congressman memorialized him Wednesday in a series of statements.
The top Democrat in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, said in a statement, “Even as he battled a difficult cancer diagnosis, Ranking Member Connolly continued to push back against the unprecedented attacks on the federal workers in his district and across the country.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, meanwhile, offered his prayers, saying of Connolly: “For decades, he dedicated his life to serving the people of Virginia.”
Former President Joe Biden, whom Connolly worked for when he served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, remembered his colleague as “a man of deep integrity, principle, and purpose.”
The relationship endured as Biden and Connolly rose through elected office and the former president recalled how they worked together during his administration to “pass consequential legislation, including the American Rescue Plan and efforts to prevent veteran suicide and support our nation’s first responders.”
Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said it was “crushingly sad to learn of the passing of Gerry Connolly, my friend, colleague and fierce champion of federal workers, public integrity and the people of Virginia (though he never surrendered his hearty south Boston accent).”
Connolly was the ranking Democratic member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He was involved in government investments with federal contractors, a key component of the local economy he represented.
A strong critic of President Donald Trump, Connolly voted to impeach the president during his first term and denounced his language against immigrants.
During his tenure, he was also involved in directing international policy, sitting on subcommittees specifically focused on Asia and the Middle East.
In November 2020, Connolly was elected president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, where he has focused on strengthening the US presence within NATO.
The congressman previously criticized the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with a statement on his website suggesting that the US “cannot continue to provide offensive weaponry to a government if it refuses to respect the laws of war” but acknowledging that Israel faces significant threats from regional actors like Hamas and Hezbollah.
This story has been updated with additional developments and information.
CNN’s Arlette Saenz, Riane Lumer, Annie Grayer and Michelle Shen contributed to this report.
