On September 9, 2025, voters in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District will head to the polls for a special election that’s drawing national attention—and for good reason. The contest, triggered by the passing of long-serving Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly in May after a battle with cancer, pits Democrat James Walkinshaw against Republican Stewart Whitson. While the outcome won’t directly tip the balance of power in the U.S. House, it could narrow the already razor-thin Republican majority and serve as a bellwether for the 2026 midterms.
The race has electrified Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax, the heart of Virginia’s 11th District. On September 6, the Fairfax County Democratic Committee hosted a lively rally and BBQ in support of Walkinshaw, drawing prominent Democrats like Senator Mark Warner, Representatives Don Beyer and Eugene Vindman, gubernatorial hopeful Abigail Spanberger, and attorney general nominee Jay Jones. The event, described by organizers as “energizing and exciting,” was a show of unity and momentum for the Democratic ticket. Spanberger, reflecting on Connolly’s legacy, told the crowd, “Gerry Connolly was incredible…I know you will work as tirelessly and as fearlessly…as Gerry always did.”
Walkinshaw, a current member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Connolly’s former chief of staff, has been leaning heavily on his local roots and experience. He’s spent the campaign talking to thousands of district residents about the impact of the Trump administration’s policies, especially on federal workers. At the rally, he promised, “I’ve talked to thousands and thousands of our neighbors here in the 11th district about the challenges they are facing, about the impacts of the Trump administration’s impacts and policies on their lives…federal workers who were fired…endured abuse…because of the Trump administration’s reckless policies.” He vowed to “fight for each and every one of you” if elected.
Senator Warner lavished praise on both Walkinshaw and Spanberger, stating that Spanberger is “a rare talent…an extraordinary person” who will be “one hell of a governor.” Warner predicted that her election would be heard “from one end of the country to another.” Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, left no doubt about his intentions, declaring, “I cannot wait to sue the hell out of Donald Trump.”
But the Democrats aren’t the only ones feeling the urgency. Stewart Whitson, the Republican contender, spoke to Breitbart News on September 6, characterizing the special election as a “once in a generation” chance for Republicans to reclaim a district they haven’t held since Tom Davis’ 2006 victory. “For 16 long years, the Democrats have had a stranglehold on this district,” Whitson said. He argued that the unique dynamics of this special election could finally give Republicans a shot, saying, “This is a once in a generation opportunity to take back this seat.”
Whitson, an Army combat veteran and former FBI special agent, has built his campaign on law-and-order themes and conservative values. He’s been quick to highlight his experience in federal law enforcement and his work at a conservative think tank. “I’m an unapologetically America First conservative, so I’m an Army combat veteran, proud husband of 20 years, I have school age kids, I’m a former federal law enforcement officer and I spent four and a half years working in a conservative think tank advancing conservative policies on Capitol Hill, and so, I’m someone that can hit the ground running day one to advance the America First agenda that the American people put him in office to advance,” Whitson told Breitbart News.
Education and public safety have also taken center stage in Whitson’s campaign. He’s been outspoken about what he calls “wokeness” in Fairfax County schools, promising to “empower parents and get the crazy out of our schools.” On crime, he’s aligned himself closely with former President Donald Trump, saying, “Everything President Trump is doing to restore safety to our communities is working.” He’s accused Walkinshaw of promoting sanctuary city policies in Fairfax County and has positioned himself as a champion of the “America First” agenda.
Despite the Republican enthusiasm, Walkinshaw enters election day with a significant financial edge. According to the Associated Press, Walkinshaw raised about $1.1 million in campaign contributions, dwarfing Whitson’s $225,000. As of August 20, Walkinshaw’s campaign had $139,000 in the bank, more than double Whitson’s $57,000. The district itself, while not as deep blue as neighboring areas, has reliably favored Democrats in recent elections—Kamala Harris carried it with 65% of the vote in 2024, and Connolly won 67% in his last race. Trump received 40% or more of the vote in only nine of the district’s 183 precincts.
Yet, Whitson and his supporters see an opening. With the GOP’s House majority standing at 219-212, flipping the seat would not just add a Republican vote but also subtract a Democratic one—a double whammy, as Whitson put it. “Republicans have had the slimmest majority we have had in the last century and so taking back this seat isn’t just putting a Republican vote in Congress; it’s actually taking away a Democrat vote.”
On September 5, Walkinshaw and Senator Warner held a press conference in Fairfax, branding the contest “The Bellwether Race to Watch.” Walkinshaw used the occasion to outline his top priorities: supporting federal workers, defending health care access, and promoting economic development in Northern Virginia. He criticized the Trump administration’s cuts to the CIA and FBI, arguing, “The elimination of jobs at the CIA. The elimination of jobs at the FBI. Driving out, in my view, for partisan purposes, the experts that understand how to counter Chinese espionage; how to counter China’s efforts to oppress folks here in the United States.”
Walkinshaw also announced he has “legislation prepared” that would require Congress to approve any significant restructuring or job cuts within federal agencies, aiming to protect federal workers from what he described as “reckless” executive actions. He further warned against “devastating cuts to health care, to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act,” which he attributed to Trump’s legislative agenda.
Senator Warner echoed Walkinshaw’s concerns, saying, “The United States has to be, has to have a strong and clear message in support of human rights across the globe.” Warner criticized the Trump administration for “watering down” human rights reports and “abandoning our traditional posture as a communicator and supporter of human rights around the globe, including in China.”
As election day approaches, turnout is expected to be strong. Nearly 568,000 voters are registered in the district, and as of September 1, more than 48,000 ballots had already been cast—about half by mail, half in person at early voting sites. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. ET. The Associated Press will report results and declare a winner once the outcome is clear, but Virginia law allows candidates to request recounts if the margin is narrow.
With both sides energized and national stakes looming, the 11th District’s special election is shaping up to be a microcosm of the broader political battles playing out across the country—a contest where every vote truly matters, and where the echoes of past and future elections are impossible to ignore.
