Democrat Dan Lee Prioritizes Medicare For All In 11th District Race

FAIRFAX, VA — Healthcare is a human right, says Dan Lee, who is running for Congress to make that real by fighting for Medicare for All.

"The MAGA regime is working to gut Medicare and Medicaid, putting millions of seniors and working families at risk," he said. "This must stop. I’ve spent my career fighting to cut through red tape and corporate greed so the public can access services they need and deserve— and I’ll do the same in Congress."

Lee is one of nine Democrats running to succeed former U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th), who died of esophageal cancer on May 21. A special election has been scheduled for Sept. 9 to fill the vacant seat in Congress.

As part of its coverage of the June 28 unassembled caucus, also called a "firehouse primary," hosted by the the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee, Patch invited each of the nine candidates on the ballot to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job they're running for. The following are Lee's responses.

What is your name?

Dan Lee

What will be your age on election day?

42

What is your occupation and the number of years you've worked in this field?

Over my 20-year career, I’ve been a public servant, having served in the White House, for the Governor of Massachusetts, and at the World Bank. I am also a healthcare technology entrepreneur and a caregiver to my mother.

What is the single issue that defines your candidacy?

Healthcare is a human right and I’m running for Congress to make that real by fighting for Medicare for All.

The MAGA regime is working to gut Medicare and Medicaid, putting millions of seniors and working families at risk. This must stop. I’ve spent my career fighting to cut through red tape and corporate greed so the public can access services they need and deserve—and I’ll do the same in Congress.

This fight is deeply personal. My mom was a nurse, but for years, she had no insurance of her own. The day she qualified for Medicare was one of the happiest of my life. It meant she no longer had to choose between the care she needed and financial ruin. Today, she lives with Parkinson’s Disease, and thanks to both Medicare and Medicaid, she’s able to receive essential care and live with dignity at home.

But now, that basic promise is under threat. Every day we delay bold action, families suffer. I’m running to protect what’s at stake and to deliver a universal, affordable system that covers everyone and leaves no one behind.

What makes you the best candidate to represent the Democratic Party in the Sept. 9 special election?

As Trump’s bullies and billionaires strip away basic rights from working Americans, too many Democrats stand by instead of standing up. We cannot afford another generation of leaders making empty promises while cutting backroom deals with corporate elites. The extortion of working families must end, starting right here in Virginia.

It’s time for a new generation of leadership: leaders who aren’t part of the political class, who won’t bow to billionaires, and who understand the daily struggles of working families. I’m not a career politician, I’ve spent my life delivering actual results for people navigating a broken system. In Congress, I’ll punch back against extremism, reject political cowardice, and push for economic dignity, personal freedom, and a fair shot for every family.

Ask my opponents if they take corporate PAC money. Ask if they support guaranteed healthcare, childcare, or eldercare. Too many offer the same tired appeasement while families get steamrolled by the Trump regime and a rigged economy.

I believe Virginians deserve bold, honest leadership—grounded in values, not political convenience. I’m running to shake up the status quo and make sure the government works for the people again—not just the powerful.

What impact has the Trump administration's second term had on the 11th District so far and how would you advocate for your constituents while in the minority?

The Trump Administration’s second term has been catastrophic for Virginia’s 11th District. As home to one of the largest concentrations of federal workers in the country, our community has been directly targeted by Trump’s assault on public service and democracy.

Federal workers, who are the backbone of Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicare, and SNAP, have been vilified and driven out, their jobs slashed and agencies hollowed. Hospitals have been defunded.

Healthcare costs have skyrocketed while corporate profiteers make billions. And in a brazen show of force, militarized ICE units are about to be deployed into our neighborhoods, terrorizing immigrant families and sowing fear in our communities.

We are on the front lines of Trump’s war on democracy, and we feel the consequences every day.

Even in the minority, I’ll be a relentless advocate for our district. I’ll protect the programs that keep our families safe and our economy moving. I’ll champion Medicare for All, defend the rights of federal workers, push for ICE accountability, and build coalitions to safeguard the institutions that make democracy work. The people of this district deserve someone who won’t flinch in the face of extremism, and I’m ready to fight for them every day.

What To Know About Democratic Party Caucus

On June 28, the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee is hosting an unassembled caucus to determine which of the nine candidates in the race will represent the party on the special election ballot: Joshua Aisen, Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett (D-At-Large), Dan Lee, Leo Martínez, Amy Papanu, State Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D-Centreville), Amy Roma, Del. Irene Shin (D-Herndon) , or Supervisor James Walkinshaw (D-Braddock).

All registered voters in the 11th Congressional District may cast a ballot on Saturday, June 28, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 17 voting locations. Early voting will take place 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 24, 25 and 26 at the Fairfax County Government Center.

The caucus winner will represent the Democratic Party in the Sept. 9 special election to fill the vacant seat in Virginia's 11th Congressional District.

The 11th Congressional District of the Republican Party of Virginia will be hosting a District Canvass on Saturday, June 28 to choose its special election candidate.

The 11th Congressional District seat has been vacant since incumbent U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th) died of esophageal cancer on May 21.

Related:

• Candidate Questionnaire: Democrat Amy Roma Seeks 11th District Congressional Seat
• Amy Papanu On Democratic Caucus Ballot For 11th District Congressional Seat
• Irene Shin Running In 11th District Congressional Race: Candidate Questionnaire
• Walkinshaw Runs In 11th Congressional District Race In Democratic Caucus
• Martínez On Democratic Caucus Ballot For 11th District Congressional Seat
• Democrats, GOP To Choose Candidates For 11th Congressional District Special Election
• 11th District Voters Will Cast Ballots In Special Election To Fill Congressional Seat
• Choosing Connolly's Successor In Congress: What To Know
• VA Congressman To Retire As Cancer Returns Following Treatment