Governor Youngkin sets date for special election to replace late Rep. Connolly

There are currently three vacancies in the United States House of Representatives with one of them in Virginia. Representative Gerald Connolly died in mid-May.

Today Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a writ of elections calling for a special election for the 11th Congressional District to be held in a few months.

“You are hereby required to cause an election to be held in this district on September 9, 2025, for a member of the United States House of Representatives to till the vacancy,” Youngkin wrote in the order to secretaries of the electoral boards and registrars in Fairfax County and City of Fairfax.

Those interested in running have until July 11, 2025 to file the necessary paperwork. So far it appears that two Republicans, seven Democrats, and one independent have taken that step according to data compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. Nomination methods for the two parties have not yet been determined

Connolly was first elected in 2008 after service on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 1995 to 2003. He last won election to Congress this past November with 66.68 percent of the vote according to the Virginia Department of Elections.

Two other members of the House of Representatives have died so far this year.

Rep. Sylvester Turner of the 18th Congressional District of Texas died on March 5, 2025. A special election for his replacement will be held on November 4 during the general election.

Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva of Arizona’s 7th District died on March 13, 2025. His successor will be elected on September 23.

Virginia’s 11th Congressional District covers part of Fairfax County and all of Fairfax City. Take a look at the Virginia Public Access Project for more information.

Before you go: This story was originally sent out in the June 3, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. Two days passed before the information was posted here. If you’d like to help support it financially, this page contains the possible ways.