In a closely watched special election on September 9, 2025, Democrat James Walkinshaw emerged victorious in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, narrowing the already slim Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Walkinshaw, a Fairfax County Supervisor and longtime Capitol Hill staffer, defeated Republican Stewart Whitson, an Army veteran, former FBI agent, and legal director at a conservative think tank. The election was prompted by the death of Representative Gerry Connolly in May, who succumbed to esophageal cancer after years of representing the district and advocating for federal workers.
Walkinshaw’s win, though anticipated in the heavily Democratic district, carries outsized significance for national politics. As reported by Nexstar Media Inc., the victory will reduce the Republican majority in the House from 219-212 to 219-213 once Walkinshaw is sworn in. This shift means Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans will have even less room for error as they navigate contentious spending battles and a looming government shutdown.
“Tonight, northern Virginians have sent a very powerful message: The reckless Trump agenda must come to an end,” Walkinshaw declared at his election night celebration, standing beside Connolly’s wife and daughter, according to The Associated Press. The newly elected congressman, who served as Connolly’s chief of staff for more than a decade, ran a campaign focused on defending federal workers and opposing policies from former President Donald Trump’s administration—policies that many in the district felt uniquely impacted their community.
Walkinshaw’s path to the Democratic nomination was no cakewalk. In June, he bested nine other candidates, buoyed by Connolly’s endorsement and his own record on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors since 2020. On the Republican side, Whitson, a political newcomer, highlighted his military background and his work at the Foundation for Government Accountability, a D.C.-based conservative think tank. Despite the high stakes, Republicans spent nothing on advertising in the race, while Democrats poured in approximately $2.3 million, according to AdImpact, a campaign ad tracking firm.
In a statement after the results, Whitson struck a conciliatory tone: “I congratulate my opponent and extend my gratitude to every voter who participated in this important election.”
The election results were emphatic. With 57 percent of the vote reported on election night, Walkinshaw led Whitson by more than 50 points—a margin that surpassed even former Vice President Kamala Harris’s 34-point victory in the district during the 2024 presidential race, as noted by Nexstar Media Inc. This overwhelming support is seen by many as a sign of strong Democratic enthusiasm in Northern Virginia, a region critical for statewide wins as the state gears up for its November elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and all 100 members of the House of Delegates.
Walkinshaw’s campaign messaging, which centered on fighting for federal workers and pushing back against Trump-era cuts to the federal workforce, appears to have resonated with voters. The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency had implemented significant reductions in federal staffing, disproportionately affecting the District of Columbia suburbs and parts of Virginia. Walkinshaw and other Virginia Democrats, including gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, have made reversing these cuts a central campaign issue.
Democrats have reason to celebrate beyond Virginia’s 11th District. As highlighted by Nexstar Media Inc., the party has enjoyed a string of special election victories in 2025, including upsets in contested state legislature races in Iowa and Pennsylvania, as well as a win in a Wisconsin state Supreme Court race. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin put it plainly: “Rep-elect Walkinshaw’s victory continues the dominant trend we’re seeing so far this year – Democrats are massively overperforming in nearly every race.”
However, Republicans are quick to caution that off-year special elections are rarely predictive of turnout in major election years. They point out that the 11th District is a Democratic stronghold and note that the real test will come in November, when statewide races could hinge on turnout in more competitive areas.
Walkinshaw’s win also affects the balance of power in Congress. The late Connolly’s seat was one of three Democratic vacancies, which had allowed Republicans to pass crucial legislation, such as President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” by razor-thin margins. With Walkinshaw’s swearing-in, the GOP majority narrows, giving Speaker Johnson even less leeway as Congress faces a government funding deadline. Two other Democratic vacancies remain—those of former Reps. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), both of whom died earlier this year. Additionally, a Republican vacancy exists following former Rep. Mark Green’s (R-Tenn.) resignation.
For Walkinshaw, the victory is both a personal and political milestone. At a July debate, he promised, “Our community needs a member of Congress committed to fighting anyone who attacks our community and someone with a record of delivering results.” That message, paired with his deep roots in the district and experience as Connolly’s chief of staff, appears to have struck a chord with voters seeking stability and advocacy during turbulent times in Washington.
Looking ahead, Virginia voters will return to the polls in November for a packed slate of elections, including the high-profile gubernatorial race. Political observers are watching closely to see if the energy and turnout seen in the 11th District will carry over to these contests. As the Democratic base shows signs of renewed enthusiasm, Republicans are regrouping, hoping to mobilize their own voters in what promises to be a pivotal election season.
Elsewhere, the nation’s political calendar remains busy. Boston held its nonpartisan mayoral primary on the same day as Virginia’s special election, with incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu and nonprofit executive Josh Kraft advancing to a November showdown. Wu led the primary with 65 percent of the vote, while Kraft trailed at 30 percent. The city’s race unfolds against the backdrop of a new federal immigration enforcement operation in Massachusetts, which Wu has strongly opposed.
For now, all eyes are on Fairfax County and the halls of Congress, where Walkinshaw’s victory will soon be felt. As the House braces for tough budget negotiations and the 2025 election season heats up, the results from Virginia’s 11th District offer a snapshot of the shifting political winds—and a reminder that even in expected outcomes, the details matter.
