Rep. Gerry Connolly Is Trying to Clear the Way for His Former Chief to Replace Him

The lawmaker, who announced plans to retire after finishing his current term, is endorsing his former chief of staff.

Gerry Connolly
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP

Who will replace Rep. Gerry Connolly has been a question spinning through Capitol Hill since he announced he was stepping down as top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee late last month, and a shadow race to replace him on the committee starts to shape up.

Back in his Virginia district, the same question is getting asked about his safely blue district, where Connolly has held office since getting elected in 2008.

If Connolly has his way, Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw will be the one to take that role.