Candidates vie for late Rep. Gerry Connolly’s seat in Virginia’s 11th District

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) — Polls are set to open for early voting in the special election race to fill the late Rep. Gerry Connolly’s (D-Va.) seat, representing the 11th Congressional District.

Connolly, 75, died on May 21, less than a month after he announced that he was stepping down from his position. He had announced that his esophageal cancer had returned, and he had been battling it since late last year.

Many candidates are vying for the empty seat, but before the election, the Democratic and Republican parties will hold party-run nominating events.

Republican nominees:

• Nathan Headrick
• Karina Lipsman
• Arthur Purves
• Lucas Rand
• Mike Van Meter
• Stewart Whitson
• Sam Wong

Democratic nominees:

• Candice Bennett
• Ross William Branstetter, IV
• Dan Lee
• Leo Martinez Nucete
• Amy Papanu
• Stella Pekarsky
• James Walkinshaw
• Irene Shin
• Amy Roma
• Priya Punnoose

Independent nominees:

• Chandra Tamirisa

The first day of early voting for democrats came on a day when the feels-like temperatures were above 100 degrees. However, voters told DC News Now that it did not stop them from casting their ballots.

“It’s that important,” Margie Wheedleton said. “If we don’t vote, we don’t have a right to complain.”

Voters of both parties have large slates of candidates to choose from.

Donna Buffington said what influenced her vote was which candidate could best combat the Trump administration.

“Anything that will help bring democracy to us,” she said. “To stand up against our current administration to show that they’re on the wrong side of history.”

For information on the Republican Party’s canvass, click here.

For information on the Democratic nomination caucus, click here.

General voting in the special election will be held on Sept. 9.