Special election date set to fill Gerry Connolly seat in deep-blue Va. district

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia has announced a special election to fill a vacant congressional seat in the state’s 11th Congressional District. The special election, scheduled for September 9, will fill the seat left vacant by the late Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly, who passed away on May 21 after battling esophageal cancer.

Connolly, a longtime House member, had previously announced that he would not seek re-election in 2026 in the Democrat-dominated Northern Virginia district. Six Democrats and two Republican candidates have already entered the race to fill Connolly’s seat.

The upcoming special election in Virginia is significant as the Republicans are currently defending their slim House majority in the lead-up to next year’s midterm elections. The GOP currently controls the chamber by a margin of 220-212, with three heavily blue districts currently vacant.

This special election in Virginia is part of a series of special elections being held across the country to fill vacant seats. The first two special elections, held in Florida congressional districts, replaced Republicans who had resigned their terms. Additionally, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs of Arizona has set September 23 as the date for a special election to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Rep. Raúl Grijalva, another Democrat.

In Texas, Republican Governor Greg Abbott has set November 4 as the date for a special election to fill the seat left vacant following the death of Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner in March. Texas Democrats expressed frustration over what they perceived as a month-long delay by Abbott in setting the special election date.

These special elections will play a crucial role in shaping the composition of the House of Representatives, with both parties vying for control. The outcomes of these elections will have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of the country.

Paul Steinhauser, a politics reporter based in New Hampshire, covers the campaign trail extensively and provides valuable insights into the political dynamics at play in various states. Stay tuned for more updates on the special elections and their impact on the political landscape.