Rep. Gerry Connolly, who represented Northern Virginia in Congress for more than a decade, died early Wednesday, his family announced. He was 75.
“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,” a statement posted to Connolly’s social media account said.
Connolly announced last month he is stepping down as the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee and would not seek reelection next year due to his cancer returning, ending his long career in public life.
“The sun is setting on my time in public service,” Connolly said in a statement in April. “With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years.”
Connolly served in Congress since 2009. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said in a statement last month that Connolly was a “relentless advocate for the incredible civil servants” in his district during the Trump administration’s “unprecedented attacks on federal employees.”
Connolly announced late last year that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and would undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy. He said last month that after “grueling treatments,” he learned that the cancer had returned.
Concerns about Connolly’s health were a factor late last year as he ran for the top ranking position on Oversight, one of the most prominent committees in Congress.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.