The 2025 Virginia's 11th congressional district special election to determine the member of the United States House of Representatives for Virginia's 11th congressional district was held on September 9, 2025. The seat became vacant following the death of Democrat Gerry Connolly on May 21, 2025. The district was considered safely Democratic.

Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw won the Democratic primary with 59% of the vote, defeating Irene Shin and Stella Pekarsky. Stewart Whitson, a former FBI agent, won the GOP primary with 39% of the vote. In the general election, Walkinshaw outraised Whitson by $1 million to $224 thousand.

In the September 9 general election, Walkinshaw defeated Whitson by roughly 50 percentage points, a leftward shift from 2024.

Background Incumbent representative Gerry Connolly died of esophageal cancer on May 21, 2025. Connolly had previously announced that he would not seek re-election in 2026. He was first elected in 2008, and had announced his cancer diagnosis shortly after being re-elected in 2024. In the United States, vacancies in the House must be filled by special elections. Under Virginia law, the governor schedules the special election and political parties handle their nominating processes themselves. Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin called a special election to be held on September 9, 2025. The deadline for candidates to file a candidacy was July 11, 2025.

Based primarily in Fairfax County, this suburban district is widely regarded by political analysts to be a safely Democratic seat. The last time a Republican was elected to this district was in 2006, when Tom Davis was re‑elected. As of 2025, the seat has remained under Democratic control ever since, and Connolly won it by 67% to 33% in 2024.

Democratic primary Campaign

Opponents of James Walkinshaw, including Stella Pekarsky and Irene Shin, have alleged that the primary election was biased in favor of Walkinshaw, pointing to the short timeline for the election and the party's choice not to use ranked-choice voting in the primary. Pekarsky, Shin, and other candidates have expressed frustration with delays in the party releasing voting locations and other information. Other candidates have shared concerns that party volunteers have publicly displayed a preference for Walkinshaw while working on behalf of the party.

Fairfax County Democratic Committee chair Aaron Yohai denied Shin and Pekarsky’s claims, blaming Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin for scheduling the election so soon, which he said caused the delays in information. Walkinshaw told Virginia Scope the complaints were candidates "trying to work the refs."

On June 24, Connolly's social media accounts posted messages of support for Walkinshaw, causing shock and controversy on social media.

Candidates Nominee James Walkinshaw, Fairfax County supervisor (2019–2025) and former chief of staff to Gerry Connolly

Eliminated in primary Candice Bennett, member of the Fairfax County Planning Commission (2020–present) Ross William Branstetter IV, businessman Dan Lee, healthcare technology entrepreneur Leopoldo Martínez Nucete, former senior counselor of the Minority Business Development Agency (2024–2025) and former deputy to the National Assembly of Venezuela (2000–2005) Amy Papanu, former CIA operations officer and national security expert Stella Pekarsky, state senator from the 36th district (2024–present) Priya Punnoose, psychiatrist Amy Roma, energy policy lawyer Irene Shin, state delegate from the 8th district (2022–present)

Declined Jennifer Boysko, state senator from the 38th district (2019–present) and candidate for Virginia's 10th congressional district in 2024 (endorsed Walkinshaw and Shin) Steve Descano, Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney (2020–present) (endorsed Walkinshaw) Eileen Filler-Corn, former Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates (2020–2022) from the 41st district (2010–2024) and candidate for Virginia's 10th congressional district in 2024 (endorsed Walkinshaw) Dan Helmer, state delegate from the 10th district (2020–present) and candidate for Virginia's 10th congressional district in 2018 and 2024 Dave Marsden, state senator from the 35th district (2010–present) (endorsed Walkinshaw) Jeff McKay, chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (2020–present) (endorsed Walkinshaw) Saddam Azlan Salim, state senator from the 37th district (2024–present) (endorsed Pekarsky)

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JoshuaAisen CandiceBennett DanLee LeopoldoMartínez Nucete StellaPekarsky AmyRoma IreneShin JamesWalkinshaw UndecidedLake Research Partners (D)June 5–9, 2025500 (LV)± 4.4%2%2%2%1%8%1%6%41%36%

Debates and forums + 2025 Virginia's 11th congressional district special election Democratic primary debates and forums Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic DemocraticKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Bennett Branstetter Lee Martinez Papanu Pekarsky Punnoose Roma Shin Walkinshaw1 June 24, 2025 WinDem Suhas Subramanyam PAPPPPPPPP

Results

Republican primary

The Republicans held a canvass to determine their nominee on June 28 at Fairfax High School, rather than run a full primary.

Candidates Nominee Stewart Whitson, government relations professional

Eliminated in primary Nathan Headrick, banking executive Karina Lipsman, systems engineer and nominee for in 2022 Arthur Purves, president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance Lucas Rand, hospital administrator Mike Van Meter, behavioral therapist and nominee for this district in 2024 Sam Wong, U.S. Army veteran

Debates and forums + 2025 Virginia's 11th congressional district special election Republican primary debates and forums Date Host Moderator Link Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican RepublicanKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Headrick Lipsman Purves Rand Van Meter Whitson Wong1 June 22, 2025 WMAL-FM Vince Coglianese APAPPPP2 June 23, 2025 WMAL-FM Larry O'Connor APPPPPP

Results

Independents Failed to qualify Chandrashekar Tamirisa, sustainability leader

General election Debates and forums 2025 Virginia 11th congressional district special election debates and forums Date Host Moderator Link Participants Participant   Absent   Non-invitee   Invitee   Withdrawn James Walkinshaw Stewart Whitson 1July 28, 2025Reston Citizens AssociationLynne MulstonPP 2August 18, 2025League of Women Voters of the Fairfax AreaCatherine WhitePP

Post-primary endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report August 23, 2025 Inside Elections August 28, 2025 Sabato's Crystal Ball August 29, 2025

Results

By county and independent city Locality James WalkinshawDemocratic Stewart WhitsonRepublican Write-inVarious Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Fairfax City 4,001 74.52% 1,362 25.37% 6 0.11% 2,639 49.15% 5,369 Fairfax County (part) 109,595 75.16% 35,935 24.64% 281 0.19% 73,660 50.52% 145,811Totals113,59675.14%37,29724.67%2870.19%76,29950.47%151,180

Notes

Partisan clients

References

External links Official campaign websites James Walkinshaw (D) for Congress Stewart Whitson (R) for Congress