A long-serving Democrat in the U.S. House has made a surprising announcement, revealing that while he will finish his current term, he will not seek reelection after being diagnosed with cancer—further complicating the party’s already difficult road to regaining control of the chamber. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), 75, shared in a heartfelt letter to supporters that he received his cancer diagnosis six months ago, and after months of difficult treatments, the cancer has unfortunately returned.
In his letter, Connolly expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support he’s received: “Your outpouring of love and support has given me strength in my battles—both against cancer and in our shared defense of democracy,” he wrote, addressing his “friends.” He went on to explain that after transparent discussions with his doctors, he decided it was time to step down from his role as Ranking Member of the Oversight Committee. “The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress,” he announced.
Despite Connolly’s departure, the race for his seat in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District remains a challenging one for Republicans. The district is rated D+18 by the Cook Political Report, and Connolly has traditionally dominated with strong support in Fairfax County, including the northern suburbs of Washington, D.C. However, with the momentum from Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s success post-pandemic, Virginia Republicans are expected to field a strong candidate. This puts pressure on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to allocate valuable resources to defend a seat that was once considered safe.
Complicating matters further, demographic changes in the D.C. metro area could play in favor of a Republican candidate. Following federal worker layoffs under the Trump administration, home sales have surged as many longtime bureaucrats relocate, potentially shifting the electorate in favor of the GOP.
As the 2026 elections approach, forecasters are split on which party will control the House. While Democratic candidates generally lead in national polling, projections from 270 to Win show Republicans holding 208 reliably red seats compared to 205 for Democrats, with 22 seats still up for grabs.
Connolly isn’t the only veteran Democrat to announce retirement. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), 80, revealed she will leave Congress after completing her 15th term, avoiding a primary challenge from a younger opponent. Similarly, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) faces a tough decision in San Francisco, where a former aide to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is eyeing her seat.
Meanwhile, other Democrats are shifting focus to higher office. Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) is running for Minnesota’s open Senate seat, and Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI) is eyeing a Senate bid following Sen. Gary Peters’ (D-MI) retirement announcement.
As older Democratic leaders step down or position themselves for new roles, others, like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are pushing back against calls for younger leadership. “I’m staying put, and I’m fighting the fight every day,” Schumer declared on CNN’s State of the Union this week. “We’re showing America how bad Trump is, and showing that Republicans who embrace Trump do so at their peril.”
At the same time, Sen. Dick Durbin, with 44 years of service, has announced his retirement, signaling that it’s time to “pass the torch” to a new generation. Schumer, facing similar calls to step aside, recently weathered criticism over his handling of a Trump-backed funding bill but remains resolute in his commitment to lead.
