Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly shares diagnosis of esophageal cancer

Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly, chair emeritus of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

Connolly, as reported by The Washington Post, said Thursday morning he will continue to work while undergoing treatment.

“Cancer can be tough. But so am I,” Connolly, a longtime Liberal voice for Northern Virginia, said in an open letter to constituents. “I will attack this the only way I know how — with Irish fight and humor.”

Connolly, 74, won reelection to his 9th term in the U.S. House on Tuesday. He represents Virginia’s District 11, which is much of Fairfax County and all of Fairfax city. He is a former chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and has advocated in Congress for federal employees.

Connolly was a member of the House Oversight Committee during Donald Trump‘s first term as president and questioned Trump’s appointees and demanded accountability.

A cancer diagnosis was unexpected for Connolly, who said he did not have symptoms except for intermittent pains. In 2024, more than 20,000 Americans have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, which affects the hollow, muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. As he begins immunotherapy and chemotherapy, Connolly expects to be fatigued, but he is “very confident in a successful outcome.”

“Gerry Connolly is a fighter — plain and simple. Throughout his career, he has shown remarkable strength, dedication, and resilience in everything he does, and we have no doubt that he will approach this challenge with the same determination and grit that has defined his public service,” U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia said in a joint statement Thursday.

Warner and Kaine said that Connolly “has always been a steadfast advocate for the people of Northern Virginia, and we know that he will continue to show that same fierce commitment as he faces this battle. We are confident he will emerge from this even stronger, as he has done time and time again.”

Warner and Kaine stand with Connolly “every step of the way. Gerry’s courage and determination inspire us all, and we look forward to working with him as he continues to do what he does best — fighting for his constituents and for the values we all share.”