Lawmaker Who Beat AOC for Top Democratic Role Becomes Third Democrat to Die in Office This Term

Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, who edged out New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) for a top Democratic post in December before stepping down, died from esophageal cancer on Wednesday, becoming the third Democrat to die in office this term.

"He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just," Connolly's family wrote in an X post shared Wednesday morning, adding that he was "a skilled statesman on the international stage" and "an accomplished legislator in Congress."

"But more important than his accomplishments in elected office, Gerry lived by the ethos of 'bloom where you are planted,'" the post continued.

Connolly, who was 75 years old, was elected into the House in 2008 and served until his death. He began his public service career on the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, where he oversaw international economic and narcotics policy, U.N. affairs, and Middle East relations. He later held executive roles at SRI International and SAIC.

In local politics, Connolly was elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1995, eventually becoming chairman in 2003. As chair, he led one of the nation's largest local governments, overseeing a $4.5 billion budget.

The late congressman made headlines in December when, with support from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he defeated AOC to lead the House Oversight Committee, despite reportedly violating stock trading laws, according to Raw Story. AOC would have been the youngest Democrat to chair a House committee at 35 years old.

Connolly stepped down from the top Democratic position and announced he would not seek re-election in April after learning his esophageal cancer had returned.

His death marked the third for the party since January. Texas Rep. Sylvester Turner died in March at 70 years old, just months after becoming a first-time congressman for Texas. Weeks later, Arizona Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva died of complications from cancer treatments after serving 12 consecutive terms in Congress, PBS reported. He was 77 years old.