History of Gerry Connolly in Timeline

Gerald "Gerry" Connolly is the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 11th congressional district, serving since 2008. A Democrat, his district encompasses the Washington, D.C. suburbs, primarily affluent Fairfax County, where he previously served on the county's board of supervisors. Connolly's political career is rooted in local governance and has transitioned to federal representation.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

March 30, 1950: Gerry Connolly Born

On March 30, 1950, Gerald Edward Connolly was born in Boston, Massachusetts.

1963: Graduated from Venard High School

In 1963, Gerry Connolly graduated from Venard High School in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.

1971: Graduated from Maryknoll College

In 1971, Gerry Connolly graduated from Maryknoll College in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with a B.A. in literature.

1979: Moved to Mantua

In 1979, Gerry Connolly and his wife Cathy moved to Mantua, Virginia.

1979: Joined Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

In 1979, Gerry Connolly began working with the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

1979: Completed Master's Degree

In 1979, Gerry Connolly completed a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School.

1989: Became Vice President at SRI International

In 1989, Gerry Connolly became the Vice President of the Washington Office of SRI International.

1992: Served on Fairfax Government Reorganization Commission

From 1992 to 1993, Gerry Connolly served on the Fairfax Government Reorganization Commission.

1993: Served on Fairfax Government Reorganization Commission

From 1992 to 1993, Gerry Connolly served on the Fairfax Government Reorganization Commission.

March 28, 1995: Won Special Election for Providence District Supervisor

On March 28, 1995, Gerry Connolly won a special election for the Providence District seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, defeating Republican Jeannemarie A. Devolites.

1995: Elected Providence District Supervisor

In 1995, Gerry Connolly was elected as the Providence District Supervisor.

1997: Director of Community Relations for SAIC

In 1997, Gerry Connolly became the Director of Community Relations for SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation).

November 1999: Reelected Providence District Supervisor Unopposed

In November 1999, Gerry Connolly ran unopposed and was reelected to a full four-year term on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

2003: Elected Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

In 2003, Gerry Connolly was elected as the Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

2003: Hit and Run Involving Connolly's Car

In 2003, Gerry Connolly's 2003 Toyota Camry was involved in an incident that led to him being charged with a misdemeanor count of hit and run in 2004.

2004: Charged with Misdemeanor Hit and Run

In 2004, Gerry Connolly was charged with a misdemeanor count of hit and run after an incident involving his 2003 Toyota Camry and a 2003 Ford Explorer. The charge was later dismissed.

2007: Reelected Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

In 2007, Gerry Connolly was reelected as the Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

2008: Obama Carried Connolly's District

In 2008, Barack Obama carried the old 11th congressional district with 57% of the vote.

2008: Elected to Congress

In 2008, Gerry Connolly was first elected as the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 11th congressional district, defeating Republican nominee Keith Fimian.

2008: Won Democratic Primary and General Election

In 2008, Gerry Connolly won the Democratic primary and subsequently defeated Republican Keith Fimian to win the open seat in Virginia's 11th congressional district.

2009: Voted for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

In 2009, Gerry Connolly voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009.

2009: Voted for American Clean Energy and Security Act

In 2009, Gerry Connolly voted in favor of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, stating it would strengthen national security and spur innovation in the energy industry.

2009: Supported Democratic Health Care Plan

In 2009, Gerry Connolly was an early supporter of the Democratic health care plan, which ultimately became the America's Affordable Health Choices Act, as well as the public health insurance option.

February 2010: Cosponsored PAYGO Budget Legislation

In February 2010, Gerry Connolly cosponsored pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget legislation that was signed into law.

2010: Voted for all 2010 Governmental Appropriations Bills

In 2010, Gerry Connolly voted for all of the governmental appropriations bills.

2010: Voted for the America's Affordable Health Choices Act

In 2010, Gerry Connolly voted for the America's Affordable Health Choices Act.

2010: Voted to End Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling

In 2010, Gerry Connolly voted in favor of ending a moratorium on deepwater drilling rigs that met certain safety standards.

2010: Re-elected to Congress

In 2010, Gerry Connolly was challenged again by Keith Fimian but was re-elected to Congress by fewer than a thousand votes.

May 2011: Voted to Increase Debt Ceiling

In May 2011, Gerry Connolly voted to increase the debt ceiling; however, the measure failed by a significant margin.

November 2011: Voted Against National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act

In November 2011, Gerry Connolly voted against the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act, which would have exempted non-residents of states that prohibit concealed weapons from those restrictions.

2011: Voted Against Amendment Restricting Planned Parenthood Funding

During the budget amendments process in 2011, Gerry Connolly voted against an amendment that would have prevented taxpayer funds from going to Planned Parenthood.

2011: Voted for Continuing Appropriations Act for 2011

In 2011, Gerry Connolly voted for the Continuing Appropriations Act.

2012: Voted for National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

In 2012, Gerry Connolly voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, which funded the US Armed Forces and included a controversial provision regarding the detainment of individuals associated with al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces.

February 25, 2014: Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act Passed House

On February 25, 2014, the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act, which Gerry Connolly co-sponsored, passed the House in a voice vote. The bill aims to reform the federal government's technology procurement process.

April 28, 2014: Government Reports Elimination Act Passed House

On April 28, 2014, the Government Reports Elimination Act of 2014, which Gerry Connolly co-sponsored, passed in the House by voice vote. This bill aimed to eliminate redundant federal agency reports.

2016: Re-elected to Congress Unopposed

In 2016, Gerry Connolly ran unopposed for reelection and was reelected with 87.89% of the vote.

2018: Faced Republican Challenger Jeff Dove

In the 2018 election, Gerry Connolly faced Republican challenger, U.S. Army veteran Jeff Dove and Libertarian Stevan Porter.

2020: Won Primary and General Election

In 2020, Gerry Connolly won the Democratic primary against Zainab Mohsini and defeated Republican Manga Anantatmula in the general election.

2022: Re-elected to Congress

In 2022, Gerry Connolly faced Republican challenger Jim Myles and was re-elected with 66.9% of the vote.

January 2023: Connolly Voted 100% with Biden's Position

According to a FiveThirtyEight analysis completed in January 2023, Gerry Connolly voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time.

May 15, 2023: Staffers Attacked in Office

On May 15, 2023, two of Gerry Connolly's staffers were injured in his Fairfax, Virginia office when a man attacked them with a baseball bat. Connolly was not present during the attack.

2023: Support For Israel

In 2023, Gerry Connolly voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. In the wake of the attack, he voted against recognizing anti-Zionism as a form of antisemitism.

2023: Voted against Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

In 2023, Gerry Connolly was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.

April 2024: Voted in Favor of Military Aid Packages for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan

In April 2024, Gerry Connolly voted in favor of three military aid package supplementals for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan respectively, along with most Democrats, and criticized House Republicans for delaying voting.