Latest news with #FairfaxBoardofSupervisors
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
After over 30 years of public service, Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly dies at 75
U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., speaks to members of the media in 2019. () U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., has died, after an extended battle with cancer that weeks ago prompted him to not seek reelection to Congress. He was 75 and 'passed away peacefully at his home' Wednesday morning, according to a statement from his family. Connolly was elected to Congress in 2008, representing Virginia's 11th District, anchored in Fairfax County. He had previously served on the Fairfax Board of Supervisors from 1995 to 2008, spending the last five years of his term as chairman. He leaves a 30-plus-year legacy as an advocate of progressive legislation, and served as ranking member of the U.S. House Oversight Committee until weeks before his death. Longtime NoVa congressman Gerry Connolly will not seek reelection after cancer resurgence Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Lamont Bagby joined a chorus of state and federal lawmakers expressing condolences over Connolly's death Wednesday morning. 'Congressman Gerry Connolly embodied what it means to be a public servant. Over decades of leadership — first as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and then as a Congressman for 16 years — he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the people of Fairfax County, Northern Virginia, and beyond,' Bagby wrote. U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., said in a statement he was 'heartbroken' over Connolly's death. 'I've known Gerry for more than 35 years. To me, he exemplified the very best of public service. Just this past Sunday, I was honored to join his wife Smitty, daughter Caitlin, and the Fairfax community in celebrating his decades of service. While Gerry couldn't be there in person, his presence was felt throughout the room. He was there in spirit, as he always is when people come together in the name of service and progress.' Despite his declining health, in his last months Connolly pushed to maximize public access to information that impacts the average American's life. Less than a month ago, Connolly sharply questioned the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after thousands of the public health agency's staff was terminated, including the entirety of personnel responsible for responding to Freedom of Information Act requests. The layoffs were part of President Donald Trump's administration's massive slate of federal spending cuts, facilitated by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. 'The elimination of staff responsible for facilitating FOIA strongly implies an effort by the Administration to prevent the public from obtaining information about their government that they are entitled to request. I urge you to provide detailed information responsive to the requests included in this letter to bring transparency to the FOIA operations within the CDC,' Connolly wrote. U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Va., who represents the state's 4th District, called Connolly a 'servant leader' who 'fought for pragmatic policies that would improve the lives of his constituents.' 'Throughout my time in elected office, Gerry has been a defining and passionate voice in Virginia politics. I am grateful to have been able to call him a friend, mentor, and colleague. I will always treasure our talks on the House floor and will miss him greatly,' McClellan wrote in a statement. Connolly's time in federal office was defined by his focus on government reform, technology and international affairs. He served as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation in previous years, helping to craft legislation on cyber security, digital privacy and government-wide federal information technology management and innovation. Many of the political leaders commenting on Connolly's death Wednesday said although his federal service and policies helped improve public life nationwide, his service to the state of Virginia remains preeminent in his legacy. 'From transforming Northern Virginia's transportation infrastructure – making transit more accessible for all – to shaping America's role on the global stage, Gerry's legacy reaches from local neighborhoods to the halls of Congress and across the world,' Virginia House Speaker Don Scott wrote in a statement. 'It is with profound sadness that I mourn the passing of one of Virginia's most dedicated public servants.' Connolly, who lived in Fairfax, is survived by his wife Smitty and daughter Caitlin. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia Lt. Gov. race: Republican John Curran announces write-in campaign
John Curran, a business consultant from James City County, announced Monday that he intends to reenter Virginia's lieutenant governor race as a write-in candidate. Curran initially ran for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor but did not turn in enough signatures to qualify for the ballot ahead of the April deadline. He alleges he had gathered 10,000 signatures but many of them were stolen by a former campaign staffer, a matter he says Virginia State Police are investigating. 'I know that write-ins are historically a long shot,' he said. After Curran failed to qualify for the ballot and Fairfax Board of Supervisors member Pat Herrity dropped out of the race citing health concerns, John Reid became the party's nominee for the position. Shortly thereafter, Gov. Glenn Youngkin called Reid and asked him to drop out of the race, pointing to risqué photos shared from a social media account that matched the username of other accounts Reid uses. Reid denied the account was his and was adamant he would remain in the race. Youngkin and current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican candidate for governor, eventually said the decision was up to Reid but did not offer stronger support for his candidacy. 'We're so wrapped up in the battle between the governor and John Reid and all those kinds of things that we're losing track of what needs to be done,' Curran said. 'I decided to give the voters an option. It's a hard option because people actually have to know how to spell your name and write it in. If Virginia wants me, they'll do it.' Curran said he had been encouraged to run by religious organizations and other groups. His name will not appear on the ballot in November, and as a write-in, he will technically run as an independent candidate without the support of the state Republican party. That's an expensive endeavor. 'I think I will have the support and financial base to go through it,' he said. 'A write-in is going to cost even more because you really, really, really need to get your name out there.' Six Democrats are running for the party's nomination in the race. The winner of the June primary will be on the November ballot. 757 Votes: The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press 2025 primary election guide James City County business consultant to run for lieutenant governor as Republican Virginia Republicans are at war with each other. Here's how we got here. Curran said he has stronger policy positions compared to Reid on issues like abortion and business development, but also thought he was more electable. Reid is the first openly gay candidate on a statewide ballot in Virginia, though Curran said that was not his primary motivation for running. 'There's some people who just believe their religious beliefs or whatever are against it,' he said. 'I have friends and family members who are gay. I don't think that's it. I think the only part of him in that was how he portrays it and how much he makes it a part of him. I'm the other way. I'm a heterosexual. I'm a married man. I don't go out there and tell people that. I don't get into that with my orientation, and I don't think anybody needs to.' When asked for comment on Curran's announcement, a spokesperson for the Reid campaign said 'Who?' Kate Seltzer, 757-713-7881,
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pat Herrity drops from Virginia Lt. Gov. race, making John Reid presumptive GOP nominee
Only one Republican candidate remains in Virginia's race for lieutenant governor after a contender dropped out Monday. Pat Herrity, a Republican member of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, announced Monday evening he is withdrawing from the race. He cited his ongoing recovery from heart surgery as the reason. 'It is with a very heavy heart that today I am announcing the end of my 2025 race for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia,' he wrote on social media. 'Since my heart surgery on March 13th and the subsequent complications, I have been working hard to regain my strength and return to the campaign trail… Realizing that I can't give it my all for the ticket, my supporters and donors is already causing me great stress. I believe making this decision now is in the best interest of both my health and the ticket.' John Curran, a James City County businessman, announced he was dropping out of the race earlier this month. In a social media post, he alleged that he had gathered the required number of signatures to make the ballot, but that someone associated with his campaign had stolen 'most of (the) signature.' He said law enforcement was investigating but that there wouldn't be time for him to resolve the matter ahead of the June 17 primary. The deadline to gather the required 10,000 signatures to appear on the ballot was April 3. With Curran and Herrity out of the race, that means John Reid, a conservative radio host, is the last remaining Republican candidate for lieutenant governor. 'I am sure all Virginians join me in praying for Supervisor Pat Herrity and his continued recovery,' Reid said in a statement. 'With Pat's selfless decision today, our party now has an early opportunity to unify behind a historic, solidly conservative, reasonable and responsible GOP ticket led by Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares that will continue to build on Governor Youngkin's success. As I hope my travels across the state and work ethic have demonstrated, I take my new responsibility as the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor seriously.' Republicans will not have a primary for Virginia's gubernatorial or attorney general's race. Democrats will hold two statewide primaries, for lieutenant governor and attorney general. Kate Seltzer, (757)713-7881
