VA Senator Who Represents Centreville In Richmond Is Running To Succeed Connolly

CENTREVILLE, VA - State. Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D-Centreville) announced on Wednesday that she was running for U.S. Congress in the 11th Congressional District race.

“Growing up in a working class immigrant family, affordability and opportunity were the key to our American Dream,” Pekarsky said in a post on her campaign’s X account. "But it’s becoming impossible to afford living in Trump’s America. We need a progressive champion to fight for housing, education, health care, and good paying jobs.”

The announcement comes a week after incumbent U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly announced he would not seek reelection because of health concerns. Last November, Connolly revealed that he'd been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and was receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment.

Also See: 11th Congressional District Rep. Gerry Connolly Shares Cancer Diagnosis

Pekarsky said on Tuesday that she was heartbroken to learn about Connolly’s retirement, calling him one of the most passionate and articulate voices for progressive values on Capitol Hill.

“It is critical, now more than ever, that we elect the strongest possible Democrat to continue his legacy of service,” she said. “I’m ready to stand up to Trump and Musk and defeat the MAGA agenda once and for all.”

A former teacher, Pekarsky was first elected as the Sully District representative to the Fairfax County School Board in 2019, later serving as its chair.

Also See: VA Congressman To Retire As Cancer Returns Following Treatment

“I have always been passionate about education, something that has provided my family with the opportunity to build a better life,” she said in the X post. “That’s why I became a teacher then a school board member, and it’s why I went toe to toe with Glenn Youngkin to stop his attacks on Fairfax schools.”

In the 2023 Democratic Party Primary, Pekarsky unseated incumbent Sen. George Barker (D-36th) and went on to defeat Republican Julie Perry in the general election.

Also See: Braddock Supervisor Announces Bid For Connolly's Seat In Congress

“As a State Senator, I took on hard fights to make life better for Virginia families,” she said. “From stopping corporate price gougers ripping people off, to leading the effort to fully fund our schools, and protecting abortion rights, I have always stood up for progressive values.”

Pekarsky’s announcement came a day after Supervisor James Walkenshaw (D-Braddock) said that he was seeking Connolly’s seat in the 2026 election.

Although no other Democrat has formally entered the 11th District race, Republican Mike Van Meter, whom Connolly defeated in 2024, announced his intention to run again.