Opposing Trump Policies Reason Walkinshaw Seeks To Succeed Connolly In Congress

FAIRFAX, VA — Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw said he is running for Congress because the community and region are under attack by the Trump Administration.

"In Congress, I'll take on Trump and his allies in Congress, and deliver for Fairfax families," he said.

On June 28, Walkinshaw won the Democratic Party's firehouse primary to determine who would represent the party in the Sept. 9 special election. He faces Republican Stewart Whitson, who won his party's June 28 canvass, in the race to see who will succeed U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly and represent Virginia's 11th Congressional District.

Last November, Connolly revealed that he'd been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and was receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment. However, the cancer returned and the congressman's family announced he had died on May 21.

Early voting for the special election to fill Connolly's seat begins on Friday, July 25.

Patch recently invited Walkinshaw and Whitson to complete a candidate questionnaire, in order to help voters decide which candidate best matches their political beliefs. Whitson's responses can be found here. The following are Walkinshaw's responses.

Name

James Walkinshaw

Age (as of Election Day)

42

Campaign Website

James Walkinshaw

Have you been endorsed by a recognized political party? If so, which one?

Democratic Party

Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share.

Wife, Yvette; Son, Mateo

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No immediate family members work in politics or government

Education

BA, Politics; New York University

Previous or current elected or appointed political office(s) held

Braddock District Supervisor

Why are you seeking elective office?

I'm running for Congress because our community and our region is under attack by the Trump Administration. In Congress, I'll take on Trump and his allies in Congress, and deliver for Fairfax families.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

President Trump's attacks on federal workers, federal contractors, and our regional economy is the most pressing issue facing voters in Fairfax. In Congress, I'll use every tool available — investigations, litigation, and community mobilization — to block or slow Trump's reckless agenda. Then I'll go to work rebuild a federal government that respects its workers and delivers results for all Americans.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My Republican opponent says he is running for Congress to be Trump's ally and has testified before Congress that he believes DOGE and the DOGE cuts should be permanent. It's rare to see a candidate for office running on a platform to harm the very people he hopes to represent. But that is his platform.

I'm not running to be the ally of anyone in Washington. I'm running to fight for Fairfax residents, families, and businesses.

What impact have President Trump's policies had on Virginia and the 11th District in particular? How will you respond to those policies if you are elected?

President Trump's policies have devastated thousands of families in the 11th district. Dedicated federal workers have been indiscriminately and recklessly fired, immigrant communities have been targeted and attacked, and small businesses have seen their federal contracts capriciously frozen or cancelled.

I will oppose Trump's policies and work to slow, block, or reverse as many as possible. After we put an end to Trump's assault on the federal government and our local economy, we must go to work building a government and an economy that works for all.

Describe the issues that define your campaign platform.

Over the course of the campaign, I've outlined a detailed policy platform with 15 priority areas, including strengthening our local economy, expanding access to affordable health care, expanding transportation options, protecting our natural environment, and more.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I served as Congressman Gerry Connolly's Chief of Staff for more than a decade and worked alongside him to fight for Fairfax and deliver results by passing critical legislation and securing federal funding for key economic development projects.

For the last 5 years, I've served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors where I've led efforts to ban guns from libraries and rec centers, improve pay and benefits for working families, extend tax relief to seniors and military families, fight climate change, and keep our local environment clean and healthy. I've also served in regional leadership roles, working closely with other regional leaders from across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. to tackled our shared challenges.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Work as hard as you possibly can. Do the right thing, especially when it's hard. And never back down from a bully.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Perhaps the most important role that a Member of Congress plays is working with individual constituents to solve problems -- securing passports, finding lost Social Security checks, and more. As Gerry Connolly's Chief of Staff, I was responsible for ensuring that our office was responsive to constituents and went above and beyond to provide high-quality service to all constituents. I've taken that same approach on the Board of Supervisors, working with thousands of constituents to solve problems and break through bureaucratic logjams.

In Congress, my top priority will be providing the more responsive and best possible service to the residents of Fairfax.

Also See ...

• Stewart Whitson Running For Congress To Listen, Represent Voters' Values
• Independent Candidate Not On Ballot In 11th District Race
• Democrats Announce Winner Of 11th District Firehouse Primary
• Stewart Whitson Wins GOP Canvass In 11th District Race
• Virginia Congressman Dies After Cancer Diagnosis