Northern Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly died Wednesday morning after a battle with cancer. Connolly served as chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors before being elected to Congress in 2008.
Gerry Connolly was Irish. Very Irish. He had a quick wit and a short temper. People who knew him and worked with him for decades say he knew what he wanted, and he was often determined about making it happen. Here’s former Republican Congressman Tom Davis, who held the 11th Congressional District before Connolly was elected.
“He was a strong-willed leader if he wanted something done, but he also knew how to cut the deal. He knew when to compromise," Davis says. "So, our region, our state is missing a real asset because he really protected Northern Virginia interests in Congress, particularly contractors and federal employees, which are the bulk of our employment in Northern Virginia.”
Former state Senator Emilie Miller says Connolly worked to transform Republican strongholds in Northern Virginia into reliably-Democratic territory.
“I don’t know how we are going to handle this. It’s going to be very hard to say goodbye. I mean it was so fast," says Miller. "I mean, it was too fast for us to let Gerry know how much we appreciated him. So, I think his legacy is going to be what he wanted it to be; that he was a fighter for his constituents and for Virginia.”
He’s survived by his wife, “Smitty,” and a daughter, Caitlin.
Democratic candidate for governor Abigail Spanberger says she feels lucky to have known and worked with Connolly.
“The people he served knew he loved them and was a ferocious believer in the ideals and the priorities that he pushed," Spanberger says. "So, I’m grateful for all that he taught me, the example that he led.”
Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin says Connolly’s decades of public service reflect a deep commitment to Virginia – adding that he and his family are praying for the Connolly family.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
