10 Democrats Vie For Open VA Congressional Seat: Early Voting Starts Tuesday

June 24, 2025: Stella Pekarsky and Dr. Priya Punnoose's responses to Patch's candidate questionnaire were added to this story.

FAIRFAX, VA — Ten candidates will be on the ballot for the June 28 primary hosted by the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee. The winner of the primary will represent the party in the Sept. 9 special election.

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

The following candidates submitted the required signatures to qualify for the ballot, where they will be listed in the following order.

• Amy Roma
• Irene Shin
• Stella Pekarsky
• Leo J. Martínez Nucete
• James Walkinshaw
• Candice Bennett
• Amy Papanu
• Dan Lee
• Dr. Priya Punnoose
• Ross Willian Branstetter IV

"We are lucky to have ten qualified candidates to choose from in the upcoming June 28 Democratic firehouse primary," said Manisha Singh, 11th CDDC chair. "We look forward to a robust and informative primary and hearing from all the campaigns."

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.

Patch previously reported that Joshua Aisen had declared his intention to run as a Democrat in the 11th District Congressional race. A spokeswoman for the 11th CDDC said that Aisen had not contacted the committee about appearing on the June 28 ballot, which will choose who will represent the party in the upcoming special election.

Since Aisen could still run as an independent, Patch reached out to him on Friday to confirm whether he was still a candidate in the race.

11th District Democratic Candidate Questionnaires

Earlier this month, Patch contacted the campaigns of all the candidates running in the Democratic firehouse primary and invited them to fill out questionnaires so that they could tell voters why the should be the next 11th District representative to Congress. Here are their responses:

Candidate Questionnaire: Democrat Amy Roma Seeks 11th District Congressional Seat

"The defining issue of my candidacy is protecting our democratic institutions from political abuse and collapse. I’m running because Donald Trump and his allies are not just attacking policies — they’re targeting the rule of law, dismantling agency independence, and hollowing out the systems that keep our country functioning." >>> Read More

Irene Shin Running In 11th District Congressional Race: Candidate Questionnaire

"I’m running for Congress because this moment calls for a new generation of leaders who understand the urgency of the moment when federal workers are being fired, ICE is tearing families apart in our neighborhoods, and our very democracy is being threatened by a president who believes himself to be above the law." >>> Read More

Stella Pekarsky Won't Give Radical Republicans A Single Inch: 11th District Candidate Profile

"The next generation of leaders in Congress must exhaust every resource and try every strategy to stand up to bullies like Trump. I do not just talk about fighting again MAGA extremism, I have done so already as both Chair of the Fairfax County School Board and VA State Senator. If I am elected, I will do everything in my power to not give radical Republicans a single inch." >>> Read More

Martínez On Democratic Caucus Ballot For 11th District Congressional Seat

"I’m running for Congress to defend democracy and expand opportunity, because both are under attack. As someone who stood up to authoritarianism in Venezuela, I know what it looks like when democratic institutions start to erode. I came to this country to rebuild my life and raise my family in freedom, and I refuse to sit back while those same threats take root here." >>> Read More

Walkinshaw Runs In 11th Congressional District Race In Democratic Caucus

"Defending democracy is the defining issue of this campaign—because the futures of families across Fairfax and the nation are on the line. Donald Trump and his allies are threatening our freedoms, attacking the civil servants who serve our nation, and undermining the democratic institutions that hold our country together." >>> Read More

Candice Bennett Pledges To Fight For Federal Workers Targeted By Trump Policies

"Even in the minority, I will fight relentlessly to protect these workers and the broader local economy. I’ll elevate their voices, build coalitions, and use every legislative and oversight tool to hold bad actors accountable. I’ll advocate for fair budgets, strong protections, and policies that recognize the economic engine that our federal workforce represents." >>> Read More

Amy Papanu On Democratic Caucus Ballot For 11th District Congressional Seat

"President Trump and his attacks on our federal workforce and his destructive policies have wreaked havoc on our 11th District community. I am running for Congress to defend the federal workforce and our democratic institutions because they are what make this country strong. Our national security and economic security are at great risk as Trump dismantles our federal agencies, cuts funding research, and threatens small businesses in the 11th District with unnecessary tariffs." >>> Read More

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

"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." >>> Read More

Dr. Priya Punnoose Aims To Be Voice Of Science-Driven Policies In Congress

"We can and should be doing more to address mental health," she said. "Funding early intervention programs, school-based emotional health education, and increasing access to child psychiatrists and therapists are key to confronting the youth mental health crisis. We must push for online protections for kids using social media. We need to reform how we care for adults with mental illness, but also address the loneliness crisis that especially affects our aging population." >>> Read More

Patch has not received completed questionnaire from the campaign of Ross Willian Branstetter IV. Once his completed questionnaire is received, it will be added to this story.