Democrats, GOP To Choose Candidates For 11th Congressional District Special Election

FAIRFAX, VA — Voters in Virginia's 11th Congressional District can choose on June 28 which Republican or Democrat they wish to see on the Sept. 9 special election ballot for the seat held by the late Rep. Gerry Connolly.

On Tuesday, the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee released details about its upcoming unassembled caucus, also known as a "firehouse primary."

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 any of the 17 voting locations listed below. Early voting will take place 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 24, 25 and 26 at the Fairfax County Government Center.

"These seventeen voting locations are equitably distributed throughout the 11th Congressional District to provide the greatest possible access to voting, and we are holding three days of early voting," said Manisha Singh, chair of the 11th District Democratic Committee. "In contrast, Republicans have announced only one day for their caucus. Democrats have delivered historic access to voting in our firehouse primary."

Nine Democrats have already declared their candidacy for the special election:

• 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)
• Supervisor James Walkinshaw (D-Braddock)

To be on the caucus ballot, each candidate must file their Declaration of Candidacy Form and Qualified Voter Petitions, with a minimum of 150 signatures from qualified 11th Congressional District voters, with the committee by 5 p.m. on June 18. Each candidate is also required to pay a candidate fee of $6,990, which is 4 percent of a congressman's annual salary.

Democratic Caucus - Early voting

• Tuesday, June 24, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday June 25, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday June 26, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m

Location

• Fairfax County Government Center; 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035

Caucus Locations On June 28

• Libraries
  • City of Fairfax Regional Library: 10360 North St., Fairfax, VA 22030
  • Dolley Madison Library: 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean, VA 22101
  • Herndon Fortnightly Library: 768 Center St., Herndon, VA 20170
  • Oakton Library; 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton, VA 22124
• Government Centers
  • Fairfax County Government Center: 12000 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA 22035
  • Sully District Governmental Center: 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, VA 20151
  • North County Governmental Center: 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, VA 20190
  • Jim Scott Community Center: 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031
  • West Springfield Governmental Center: 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA 22152
• Schools
  • Kilmer Middle School: 8100 Wolftrap Road, Vienna, VA 22182
  • Chantilly High School: 4201 Stringfellow Road, Greenbriar, VA 20151
  • Lake Braddock Secondary School: 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015
  • Centerville High School: 6001 Union Mill Rd, Clifton, VA 20124
  • John R. Lewis High School: 6540 Franconia Road, Springfield, VA 22150
  • Frost Middle School: 4101 Pickett Road, Fairfax, VA 22032
  • Langston Hughes Middle School: 11401 Ridge Heights Road, Reston, VA 20191
  • South County Middle School: 8700 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079

Republicans Choose Candidate In District Canvass

The 11th Congressional District of the Republican Party of Virginia will be hosting a District Canvass on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Lion Run in Fairfax

Five Republicans have already declared their candidacy for the special election:

• Nathan Headrick
• Karina Lipsman
• Michael Van Meter
• Lucas Rand
• Sam Wong

To be included in the canvass, candidates must pay a $3,480 filing fee and submit written copies of their statement of candidacy to the party's district chairman and secretary. These must be received no later than 12:01 p.m. on June 21.

Like the Democratic caucus, the Republican canvass is open to all registered voters in the 11th District. However, canvass voters are required to be "in accord with the principles of the Republican Party." This will be verified by the Credentials Committee, either during pre-registration or on the day of the canvass.

The following are the voter qualifications for participation in the canvass:

"All legal and qualified voters of the 11th Congressional District under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, regardless of race, religion, national origin or sex, who are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party and who, if requested, express in open meeting either orally or in writing as may be required, their intent to support all of its nominees for public office in the ensuing election, may participate as members of the Republican Party of Virginia in its mass meetings, party canvasses, conventions or primaries encompassing their respective election districts."

In addition to the Republican and Democratic candidates, Chandra Tamirisa has also declared his candidacy in the 11th District race. He will face the winners of the Republican and Democratic primary events.

Sept. 9 Special Election To Fill Vacant Congressional Seat

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

On June 3, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued a writ for a special election to take place Sept. 9.
For Democrats in the 11th District, the process of seeking Connolly successor started in April, when the congressman said he would not seek reelection in 2026 due to health concerns. Last November, Connolly revealed that he'd been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and was receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment. He revealed in April that the cancer had returned.

Also See:

• National Security Expert, Ex-CIA Operations Officer Enters 11th District Race
• 2 More Democrats Enter 11th District Congressional Race
• 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