Voters won’t cast their ballots in the Democratic primary election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District for another year, but that hasn’t stopped early candidates from sprinting out of the gates.
Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, who was the first Democrat to enter the race to replace retiring Rep. Gerry Connolly, has already garnered support from the incumbent congressman and former 10th Congressional District representative Jennifer Wexton.
But three new endorsements come from the Virginia General Assembly — the “backyard” of rival state Sen. Stella Pekarsky, who also announced her candidacy this week.
Delegates Rip Sullivan (D-6), David Bulova (D-11) and Briana Sewell (D-25) will each publicize their support for Walkinshaw today (Friday), his campaign first shared with FFXnow.
The three state lawmakers all highlighted Walkinshaw’s experience, emphasizing the value in having worked in both federal and local roles.
“James’ experience as Chief of Staff to Congressman Connolly and his terrific work on the Board of Supervisors make him best prepared to fight forward on our behalf,” said Sullivan, who represents McLean and Great Falls in the House of Delegates. “He understands our community and knows how to deliver for Fairfax in Congress.”
“He has the experience, expertise, and integrity needed to fight the Trump administration and has a demonstrated record of beating the NRA, standing up for our federal workforce, supporting our schools, and protecting our environment,” Sewell, a Prince William County delegate, said.
“That blend of local and federal experience will serve our region well,” said Bulova, whose district includes Fairfax City, Oakton and Fair Oaks.
The three endorsements are Walkinshaw’s first from the state legislature since he kicked off his campaign for the seat on Tuesday.
“Stopping Trump’s dangerous agenda and delivering for Fairfax takes more than just action in Washington D.C.,” Walkinshaw said in a statement. “It requires strong partnerships at every level of government.”
“That’s exactly what I’ve built with Delegates Sewell, Sullivan, and Bulova,” Walkinshaw continued. “Together, we’ve stood up to extremist threats, defended our schools, and fought for our environment and public safety. I’m proud to have their support.”
Prior to Friday, Pekarsky — who launched her campaign on Wednesday, one day after Walkinshaw — had previously collected endorsements from Fairfax Del. Holly Seibold (D-12) and state Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-18).
“My friend, colleague, and fellow mom Stella Pekarsky is running for Congress — and I couldn’t be prouder!” Seibold said in social media posts. “I’ve seen her heart, hustle, and her commitment up close. She’s smart, principled, and tireless — exactly the kind of leader we need in DC. She’s the real deal, and I’m all in!”
Noting her experience working with Pekarsky in the General Assembly, Lucas, who serves as the Senate’s president and chairs its powerful appropriations committee, lauded her colleague as “the kind of leader we need in Congress to stand up and stop Donald Trump’s agenda!!”
The Democratic primary for Connolly’s long-held seat is widely expected to be a brawl, and with Fairfax County remaining decidedly blue territory, even when the state and country shift right, odds are likely that the primary winner will ultimately prevail in the November 2026 general election.
Nearly 20 years have passed since a Republican was elected to the 11th District seat, and that was long before the district’s boundaries were redrawn in two once-a-decade redistricting processes. Connolly has won each of his last five elections by a 2-to-1 margin.
Connolly announced on April 28 that he won’t seek reelection and intends to step down from his role as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, though he indicated that he intends to finish his term. He publicly shared that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer last November, just a couple of days after winning reelection to his ninth term in Congress.
So far, Walkinshaw and Pekarsky are the only Democratic candidates who have formally entered the race. On the Republican side, former D.C. police officer and FBI veteran Mike Van Meter, intends to vie for the GOP nomination again after unsuccessfully challenging Connolly last year.
Though a filing deadline for the 2026 cycle has yet to be announced, all potential candidates had until April of that year to enter Congressional House races in 2024.
Photos via Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Stella Pekarsky/Facebook
