Virginia Special Election Expected to Narrow House GOP Majority

WASHINGTON—The Sept. 9 special election in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District is set to narrow the House GOP majority.

Currently, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) can afford to lose three Republicans on party-line votes.

However, once the expected winner, James Walkinshaw, enters Congress, that margin will shrink to two.

Walkinshaw, a Democrat, served for more than a decade as chief of staff to the man he will likely succeed, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who died on May 21.

Connolly served between 2009 and 2025 and was the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.

Walkinshaw has served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors since 2019.

The 11th Congressional District is overwhelmingly Democratic, as then-Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris won 65 percent of the vote there in the 2024 election.

Before he died, Connolly endorsed Walkinshaw to be his successor.

“As I step away from Congress, I do so with hope—because I know James Walkinshaw is ready to carry the torch forward,” he wrote in a letter to constituents.

“James was my chief of staff, my partner in progress, and one of the most capable and principled public servants I’ve ever worked alongside.

“He brings not only deep experience but a rare integrity that guides every decision he makes.

Connolly continued, “James knows this community, he knows how Congress works, and most importantly, he knows who he’s fighting for—working families, federal workers, and all those who believe in a fairer, more just future.”

Walkinshaw faces Stewart Whitson, a Republican and U.S. Army Combat veteran and former FBI special agent, in the election.

“I’ll fight for safer streets and communities. I’ll fight to restore excellence in education, empower parents, and make sure our schools put learning ahead of politics,” Whitson said at a candidate’s forum in July, ABC7 reported. He has not held campaign events lately.

Whitson’s priorities, according to his campaign website, include cutting taxes, reining in spending, securing the border, supporting law enforcement, and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.

Walkinshaw has held some events ahead of the election.

“I hope to go to Congress to be the ally of the residents and the small businesses of the 11th District. That’s how I view the job,” he said at a press conference with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), ABC7 reported.

Walkinshaw’s priorities, according to his campaign website, include reducing gun violence, investing in education, helping veterans and military families, and protecting federal employees.

As of 2024, the 11th Congressional District is home to 51,951 federal workers, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.