11th District Voters Will Cast Ballots In Special Election To Fill Congressional Seat

RICHMOND, VA — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued a writ of election on Tuesday calling for a special election to fill the 11th District congressional seat following the May 21 death of U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly.

Voters in the 11th Congressional District will cast ballots on Sept. 9 to choose their next representative to Congress.

In Virginia, the governor does not have the power to appoint someone to fill a vacant seat in one of the state’s 11 congressional districts, according to the Code of Virginia. However, when a vacancy occurs, the governor “shall issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy.” Once the governor has been notified of the vacancy, the governor “may immediately issue a writ to call the election.”

Read the full text of Youngkin’s writ. It says in part:

Every special election shall be held on a Tuesday. No special election shall be held within the 55 days prior to a general or primary election, state code says. No special election shall be held on the same day as a primary election. A special election may be held on the same day as a general election.

Potential congressional candidates have until July 11 to file the necessary paperwork with the Department of Elections in order to be on the Sept. 9 ballot.

Also see:

• Choosing Connolly's Successor In Congress: What To Know
• VA Congressman To Retire As Cancer Returns Following Treatment
• Fairfax County Supervisor To Run For Connolly's Seat In Congress
• 2nd Democrat Announces Bid To Seek Connolly's Seat In Congress
• Fairfax Leaders Endorse Democrat In Race To Succeed Connolly
• GOP Candidate Running For Connolly's Congressional Seat In 11th District Race

Since Connolly’s April 28 announcement that he would not seek re-election in 2026 due to illness, three Democrats and one Republican have declared themselves candidates for the 11th District seat.

They are:

Democrats

• Joshua Aisen
• Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett (D-At-Large)
• Leo Martínez
• State Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D-Centreville)
• Amy Roma
• Supervisor James Walkinshaw (D-Braddock)

Republican

• Republican Michael Van Meter

Get The Latest Local News (For Free!) With One Quick Tap