Rep. Gerry Connolly announced Monday that he is stepping down from the powerful House Oversight Committee due to a recurrence of his esophageal cancer, creating an opening for the role “Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez unsuccessfully sought last year.
Connolly (D-Va.), 75, who edged out Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for the coveted role in December, revealed that he will be stepping down from the panel’s ranking membership “soon” and won’t run for re-election in 2026.
“After grueling treatments, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned. I’ll do everything possible to continue to represent you and thank you for your grace,” Connolly said in a statement.
“The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress. I will be stepping back as Ranking Member of the Oversight Committee soon,” he added. “With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years.”
Connolly, who was first elected to Congress in 2008, initially announced his cancer diagnosis in November.
Connolly and AOC vied for the top Democratic spot on the House Oversight Committee after Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) decided to switch to the House Judiciary Committee.
Ocasio-Cortez, 35, was Raskin’s No. 2 at the time, but ultimately Democrats passed over her for Connolly, thanks in part to advocacy from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)
Outside progressive groups aggressively lobbied for Ocasio-Cortez, and were angered when Connolly nabbed the role.
Ocasio-Cortez is no longer on the Oversight Committee, though fellow “Squad” members Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Summer Lee of Pennsylvania are.
Privately, Connolly has communicated with Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), the third most-senior Dem on the committee after himself and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) about taking his place, Axios reported.
Other possible contenders for the top spot include Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).
Becoming the ranking member could set up an ambitious Democratic lawmaker to chair the committee should the party recapture the House following the 2026 midterms.
In recent years, the Oversight Committee has been used by the opposition party to investigate presidential administrations, as when current Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), investigated the Biden family’s overseas business dealings.
Connolly’s announcement follows the deaths last month of two Democratic members — Reps. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) and Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.).
Additionally, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) has been sidelined after suffering “an emergency medical event” earlier this month.
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