Voters in Virginia’s 11th District to choose late Rep. Gerry Connolly’s successor

FAIRFAX, Va. (DC News Now) — Voters in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District are heading to the polls Tuesday to choose a new representative after the death of longtime Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly.

The special election pits Democrat James Walkinshaw, a Fairfax County Braddock District supervisor who previously served as Connolly’s chief of staff, against Republican Stewart Whitson, an Army combat veteran and former FBI special agent.

The 11th District includes most of Fairfax County and Fairfax City.

Election officials reported that, as of Saturday, early voter turnout was at 11%, with nearly 60,000 people casting ballots ahead of election day.

While campaigning, Walkinshaw has leaned on his ties to Connolly, promising to be a voice of dissent in Washington at a time when congressional Democrats hold limited leverage. He has emphasized the economic impact of recent federal workforce cuts, which eliminated tens of thousands of jobs, and has framed the race as a chance to advocate for families struggling to pay their bills.

Whitson has campaigned on fiscal restraint, calling for tighter limits on executive branch spending authority and pledging to shift more budget power back to Congress. He has also proposed job-placement programs to help federal workers displaced by the cuts.

With the midterm elections still a year away, national lawmakers are closely watching the contest for signs of voter sentiment toward the second Trump administration.

Many Northern Virginia voters say this election could send a big message to the White House.

“I served in the military, and I didn’t sign up to watch our country to go through what it is going through right now,” says voter Steven Rhodes.

 Voters were fired up as they voted for the next replacement for Representative Gerry Connolly. 

“[The] state of the economy, state of the Republic, freedom of choice,” says voter Jeffrey Hess. “It’s important for everyone to get out and vote. Stand up.”

Many say the recent cuts to the federal workforce was top of mind.

“There’s too much contradiction,” says voter Cameron Kauffman. “Talking about cutting back and cutting waste and all that and yet building a ballroom at the White House. I am fed up.”

Others say social issues drove them to the polls.

“I’m Catholic so right-to-life is an important issue,” says voter Jim Mault. “I think the trans issue is a concern here in Fairfax. The issues of crime and education around here…the lack of prosecutions. “

Walkinshaw spent the morning visiting precincts in the Merrifield area, including a stop at Fairfax Circle Baptist Church, joined by Connolly’s wife, Smitty Connolly, and daughter, Caitlin Connolly.

He was also joined by National Federation of Federal Employees President Randy Erwin.

“A lot of federal employees in this District, and we’ve got to get things on track,” Erwin said. “He’s going to be not afraid to take on the Trump Administration. We need him in there and we need him in there now.”

In a post on X urging people to vote, Whitson said he’d be visiting 17 precincts in his Election Day push.

He told DC News Now that he believes the special election is a chance for the GOP to sway independents in the district.