Overview
- Connolly’s official X and Facebook accounts posted on June 24 that he endorsed his former chief of staff James Walkinshaw for the June 28 special Democratic primary in Virginia’s heavily Democratic 11th District.
- Walkinshaw holds a 41 percent lead in a campaign-released internal survey, with state Sen. Stella Pekarsky and Del. Irene Shin polling under 10 percent.
- Roanoke Young Democrats chief Sullivan Manley and the Virginia Democratic Party rural caucus vice chair branded the endorsement “unethical” and “disgusting.”
- Connolly’s backing before his death has been reinforced by endorsements from Rep. Don Beyer and former Rep. Jennifer Wexton.
- Other Democratic contenders include Del. Irene Shin, state Sen. Stella Pekarsky and Fairfax County planning commissioner Candice Bennett, and the winner will likely take the seat in the Sept. 9 special election.