The special election for the late Rep. Gerry Connolly’s (D-Va.) seat will be House Democrats’ first true temperature check of their base in the second Trump era.
And it will take place in a district that borders the Beltway with a constituency of federal workers who are perhaps most affected by President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle huge chunks of the federal government.
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin set the special election for Sept. 9. The timing of the primary process will be set by Virginia’s 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee — most Democrats expect it to be in late June or early July. Connolly passed away on May 21.
The field is getting larger by the day. But an early primary date benefits the elected officials running who already have name ID and an existing fundraising base.
The candidates. Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw has the most establishment support with endorsements from the late Connolly, Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) and former Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.). He already represents a huge swath of the 11th District, which includes much of Fairfax County and Fairfax City.
“I spent 11 years as Gerry Connolly’s chief of staff, including during the first Trump administration,” Walkinshaw said. “I have an experience that’s unique in the race, and gives me the ability to do the job effectively on day one.”
State Sen. Stella Pekarsky also represents a chunk of the district and has nabbed endorsements from leaders in the Virginia Senate.
Then there’s state Del. Irene Shin, who entered the race Tuesday with a splashy launch video, a call for generational change and a pledge not to be “bullied by party bosses.”
Shin is 37. Walkinshaw is 42. Pekarsky is 46.
“Generational change refers to more than just age,” Shin said. “It’s also about a mentality and a cultural shift and a willingness to disrupt the way that we’ve always done things.”
Democrats in Congress, she said, have failed to meet the moment in their response to Trump.
This district has more federal workers than any other except those with military bases, making it generally more establishment-friendly.
Every candidate in the race will vow to take on Trump, but their styles differ. It’s a fascinating test of whether Democratic primary voters want someone more disruptive of the status quo or someone who adopts a more traditional approach.
Remember, these candidates have a very short time period to fundraise and air ads in the pricey Washington media market.
