History of Gerry Connolly in Timeline

Gerald Edward "Gerry" Connolly was a U.S. Representative for Virginia's 11th congressional district from 2009 until his death in 2025. A Democrat, he won the seat in 2008, succeeding retiring Republican Tom Davis. His district was located in Northern Virginia's Fairfax County, where he previously served on the county's board of supervisors. Connolly's election marked a shift in the district's political landscape, and he remained in office until his death.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

March 30, 1950: Gerry Connolly's birth

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

1968: Graduation from Maryknoll Junior Seminary

In 1968, Gerry Connolly graduated from Maryknoll Junior Seminary (Venard) High School in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.

1971: Graduation from Maryknoll College

In 1971, Gerry Connolly graduated from Maryknoll College in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with a Bachelor of Arts in literature.

1979: Connolly joined the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

In 1979, Gerry Connolly began working with the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, managing committee oversight of international economic issues, narcotics control, and Middle East policies.

1979: Completion of Master's Degree

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

1989: Connolly became Vice President of SRI International

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

1992: Service on Fairfax Government Reorganization Commission

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

March 28, 1995: Connolly won special election for Providence District seat

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: Election as Providence District Supervisor

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

1997: Connolly became Director of Community Relations for SAIC

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

November 1999: Connolly ran unopposed for reelection

In November 1999, Gerry Connolly ran unopposed for reelection to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

2003: Connolly elected Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

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

2003: Property damage to vehicles

In 2003, during an incident, Connolly's 2003 Toyota Camry caused an estimated $500 worth of property damage to a 2003 Ford Explorer

2004: Connolly 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: Connolly reelected Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

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

2008: Obama carried the old 11th with 57% of the vote

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

2008: Election to U.S. House of Representatives

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

2009: Votes on economic recovery and appropriations acts

In 2009, Gerry Connolly voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Omnibus Appropriations Act. He also voted for the supplemental appropriations bill that established Cash for Clunkers, and the Cash for Clunkers Extension.

2009: Vote for American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009

In 2009, Gerry Connolly voted in favor of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.

2009: Support for 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, and the public health insurance option.

February 2010: Cosponsor of PAYGO budget legislation

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

2010: Votes on governmental appropriations bills

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

2010: Vote for America's Affordable Health Choices Act

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

2010: Vote on deepwater drilling moratorium

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

2010: Connolly re-elected to the House

In 2010, Gerry Connolly was challenged again by Keith Fimian and won reelection to the House by fewer than a thousand votes.

May 2011: Vote to increase the debt ceiling

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

November 2011: Vote against the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act

In November 2011, Gerry Connolly voted against the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act.

2011: Vote against Amendment Regarding Planned Parenthood

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

2011: Vote for Continuing Appropriations Act for 2011

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

2012: Vote for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

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

February 25, 2014: House passage of the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act

On February 25, 2014, the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act, co-sponsored by Connolly, passed the House in a voice vote. The bill aims to reform how the federal government buys new technology.

April 28, 2014: House passage of the Government Reports Elimination Act

On April 28, 2014, the Government Reports Elimination Act, co-sponsored by Connolly, passed in the House in a voice vote. The bill aims to eliminate redundant or wasteful federal agency reports.

2016: Connolly ran unopposed for reelection

In 2016, Gerry Connolly ran unopposed for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives and was reelected with 87.89% of the vote.

2018: Connolly faced Republican challenger in 2018 election

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

2020: Connolly defeated Republican Manga Anantatmula in the 2020 election

In the 2020 election, Gerry Connolly defeated Republican Manga Anantatmula.

2022: Connolly reelected in 2022

In the 2022 election, Gerry Connolly faced Republican challenger Jim Myles and was reelected with 66.7% of the vote.

January 2023: Connolly voted with Biden's position 100% of the time

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

May 15, 2023: Attack on Connolly's Staffers

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

2023: Connolly voted to provide support to Israel

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

2023: Vote 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: Votes on military aid package supplementals

In April 2024, Gerry Connolly voted in favor of three military aid package supplementals for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, and he criticized House Republicans for delaying voting on the aid packages.

November 2024: Connolly Discloses Esophageal Cancer Diagnosis

In November 2024, shortly after being reelected, Gerry Connolly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer after experiencing slight stomach pain. He planned to undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments.