High-Ranking Democrat Congressman Dies Months After Cancer Returns

Democratic Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly died Monday morning following a battle with cancer.

Connolly, 75, announced in April that he would not seek reelection and would resign as the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee following the return of his esophageal cancer diagnosis. He defeated New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to lead the panel in December.

“It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family,” the family of Connolly wrote in a statement posted to X Monday morning.

Connolly is the third House Democrat to die since the 119th Congress began in January.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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