2025 Virginia's 11th congressional district special election

Incumbent representative Gerry Connolly died of esophageal cancer on May 21, 2025. Connolly had previously announced that he would not seek re-election in 2026. He was first elected in 2008, and had announced his cancer diagnosis shortly after being re-elected in 2024. In the United States, vacancies in the House must be filled by special elections. Under Virginia law, the governor schedules the special election and political parties handle their nominating processes themselves. Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin called a special election to be held on September 9, 2025. The deadline for candidates to file a candidacy was July 11, 2025. Based primarily in Fairfax County, this suburban district is widely regarded by political analysts to be a safely Democratic seat. The last time a Republican was elected to this district was in 2006, when Tom Davis was re‑elected. As of 2025, the seat has remained under Democratic control ever since, and Connolly won it by 67% to 33% in 2024. ==Democratic primary==

Campaign Opponents of James Walkinshaw, including Stella Pekarsky and Irene Shin, have alleged that the primary election was biased in favor of Walkinshaw, pointing to the short timeline for the election and the party's choice not to use ranked-choice voting in the primary. Pekarsky, Shin, and other candidates have expressed frustration with delays in the party releasing voting locations and other information. Other candidates have shared concerns that party volunteers have publicly displayed a preference for Walkinshaw while working on behalf of the party. Fairfax County Democratic Committee chair Aaron Yohai denied Shin and Pekarsky’s claims, blaming Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin for scheduling the election so soon, which he said caused the delays in information. Walkinshaw told Virginia Scope the complaints were candidates "trying to work the refs." On June 24, Connolly's social media accounts posted messages of support for Walkinshaw, causing shock and controversy on social media. Candidates Nominee • James Walkinshaw, Fairfax County supervisor (2019–2025) and former chief of staff to Gerry Connolly Eliminated in primary • Candice Bennett, member of the Fairfax County Planning Commission (2020–present) • Ross William Branstetter IV, businessman • Dan Lee, healthcare technology entrepreneur • Amy Papanu, former CIA operations officer and national security expert • Stella Pekarsky, state senator from the 36th district (2024–present) • Priya Punnoose, psychiatrist • Amy Roma, energy policy lawyer • Irene Shin, state delegate from the 8th district (2022–present) Declined • Jennifer Boysko, state senator from the 38th district (2019–present) and candidate for Virginia's 10th congressional district in 2024 (endorsed Walkinshaw and Shin) • Steve Descano, Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney (2020–present) (endorsed Walkinshaw) • Eileen Filler-Corn, former Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates (2020–2022) from the 41st district (2010–2024) and candidate for Virginia's 10th congressional district in 2024 (endorsed Walkinshaw) • Dan Helmer, state delegate from the 10th district (2020–present) and candidate for Virginia's 10th congressional district in 2018 and 2024 • Dave Marsden, state senator from the 35th district (2010–present) (endorsed Walkinshaw) Endorsements Polling Debates and forums Results ==Republican primary==

The Republicans held a canvass to determine their nominee on June 28 at Fairfax High School, rather than run a full primary. Candidates Nominee • Stewart Whitson, government relations professional Eliminated in primary • Nathan Headrick, banking executive • Karina Lipsman, systems engineer and nominee for in 2022 • Arthur Purves, president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance • Lucas Rand, hospital administrator • Mike Van Meter, behavioral therapist and nominee for this district in 2024 • Sam Wong, U.S. Army veteran Debates and forums Results ==Independents==

Failed to qualify • Chandrashekar Tamirisa, sustainability leader ==General election==

Debates and forums Post-primary endorsements Predictions Results By county and independent city ==Notes==