Democrat wins Virginia special election to replace deceased Rep. Gerry Connolly

Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw (D) on Tuesday won the special election to replace his former boss, the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), according to Decision Desk HQ.

Walkinshaw defeated Republican Stewart Whitson, an Army veteran and FBI agent. 

Prior to being elected county supervisor in 2019, Walkinshaw served as Connolly’s chief of staff. 

Connolly’s seat has been vacant since his death in May. Walkinshaw’s win narrows the Republican majority in the House to 219-213. 

The vacancies have likely helped Republicans during crucial votes this year, including the vote to pass the GOP spending megabill, also known as President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” in May. The legislation passed by one vote. 

Walkinshaw was considered the hands-on favorite to win the seat. The deep-blue district is reflective of the rest of Virginia’s suburbs of Washington, D.C., which tend to lean Democratic. The district makes up most of Fairfax County, including the entire city of Fairfax.