Democratic, Republican nominees set for special election in Connolly’s former district

Voters in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District cast their ballots for the Republican and Democratic nominees who will replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly.

Stewart Whitson 鈥� a former FBI agent and U.S. Army combat veteran 鈥� won the Republican nomination during a party canvas after beating out six other candidates, while James Walkinshaw won after beating out nine other candidates.

“I鈥檓 honored and humbled to have earned the Democratic nomination for the district I鈥檝e spent my career serving,” Walkinshaw said . “This victory was powered by neighbors, volunteers, and supporters who believe in protecting our democracy, defending our freedoms, and delivering for working families.”

Whitson and Walkinshaw will face off聽to replace Connolly, who had represented Fairfax.

Big WIN tonight for Team Whitson! I couldn’t have done it without them.

I’m ready to fight for the people in Virginia’s 11th District, fight for our families, and fight to help advance the America First agenda!

Time to take back this seat!

鈥� Stewart Whitson (@stew_whitson)

The 11th Congressional District has not elected a Republican since 2006.

“The turnout shows that 11th District Republicans are fired up and ready to flip the 11th District red,” said Rosie Oakley, Chairman of the 11th Congressional District Republican Committee, in a statement.聽

Voters thoughts on this special election

草莓传媒 heard from some of those who voted at the Dolley Madison Library in McLean, including Chai Puri.

鈥淚n this political climate that we’re in right now, the issues that I’m most passionate about are health care and immigration,鈥� said Puri. 鈥淩ight now, our health care system is jeopardized with the Medicare cuts being proposed.鈥�

Puri explained that this will affect her personally due to a family member who is on disability and she is worried for those who cannot access health care based on their income.

鈥淲e’re going to be severely compromised, and that’s going to affect our community,鈥� said Puri.

Another issue brought up by several voters was President Donald Trump, including a former Republican in Tyler Posey.

鈥淚 actually was a political appointee in the Reagan administration and the George W. Bush administration,鈥� Posey said. 鈥淭he biggest overarching issue is the Trump administration’s disregard for the rule of law and how it’s governing.鈥�

Meg Gorman, who brought along her elderly mother to vote, said she is looking for a fighter to replace Connolly.

鈥淪omebody who’s not afraid to speak their mind and go against the grain, if that’s what needs to be done to make things change,鈥� explained Gorman.

The main reason Gorman said she came out to vote was freedom.

鈥淚 think that’s being threatened every day by things that are happening,鈥� Gorman said.

Many mentioned Connolly鈥檚 name as they entered and left the library to vote, including State Delegate Briana Sewell of the 25th District, who once worked for the late congressman.

鈥淚 had a lady earlier today tell me, because of Congressman Connolly in his office and his assistance with her immigration case, she was able to come out and vote today,鈥� Sewell said.

While Connolly served in Congress for over 16 years, voters first elected him to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1995.

They recognized that he understood their stories.

“Yes, he stood up to Trump and did all he could and would get creative in the manner he would do so while making sure he delivered for home,鈥� Sewell said.

草莓传媒’s Tadiwos Abedje contributed to this story.

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