The race to find a replacement for the late Rep. Gerry Connolly has added another contender.
Leopoldo Martínez, a lawyer who once served in Venezuela’s National Assembly, launched a campaign today (Thursday) for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, where he’ll compete for the Democratic nomination in an increasingly crowded field.
Other announced Democratic candidates include Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, state Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D-36), Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett (At-Large) and retired U.S. Navy officer Joshua Aisen.
On the Republican side, retired FBI agent Mike Van Meter is seeking the seat he unsuccessfully challenged Connolly for last November. An independent candidate, Chandrashekar Tamirisa, has also filed paperwork to run in the not-yet-scheduled special election.
In a press release, Martínez says he was inspired to run for Congress based on his experience as a state legislator in Venezuela, where he was elected to represent the state of Miranda in 2000 and held leadership positions in a coalition opposed to then-president Hugo Chavez.
Martínez left Venezuela to join family in the U.S. in 2004 after facing what he describes as “political persecution” in his homeland for criticizing Chavez.
“I came to this country after defending democracy in Venezuela and facing political persecution simply for standing up for what’s right,” Martínez said. “Now I’m running for Congress because those same values are under attack here at home. Donald Trump, Elon Musk and MAGA Republicans are threatening our freedoms, targeting immigrants and federal workers, enabling corruption, and trying to roll back our fundamental rights. I have the experience of fighting people like this before, and I won’t back down now.”
Now a resident of McLean, Martínez worked as a tax and finance lawyer in Venezuela before shifting to consulting work after he immigrated to the U.S., according to his LinkedIn page.
An advocate of Latino involvement in politics, he founded the nonprofit Center for Democracy and Development in the Americas, was appointed as a small business commissioner under Virginia governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam, and served as the founding board chair for the Latino Victory Project.
Then-president Joe Biden nominated Martínez in 2021 for a role as CEO of the Inter-American Development Bank, which provides financing for economic and social development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, his nomination was blocked by Senate Republicans, led by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who characterized him as “socialist” and “radical.”
In the press release for his campaign launch, Martínez says his priorties, if elected, would include protecting free elections in the U.S. and overseas, lowering the cost of living, supporting federal workers, defending immigrants and ensuring “Fairfax County families have access to affordable education, healthcare and housing.”
“VA-11 is one of the most diverse districts in the country. We deserve a representative who reflects that diversity and delivers for every community,” he said. “We need a leader who won’t flinch, someone who’ll fight for democracy, good-paying jobs, healthcare, affordable housing, and real support for our veterans. And I’m ready for that fight.”
Martínez is currently the only Hispanic candidate in the race for the 11th district, which had been represented by Connolly since 2009.
Reelected for a ninth term in Congress last November, Connolly announced days later that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Though he intended to continue working, the Congressman shared in late April that he wouldn’t seek reelection after his cancer reemerged.
Connolly died at his home in Mantua on May 21 at 75 years old, prompting an outpouring of tributes and remembrances for the longtime Fairfax politician.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who has the authority under Virginia law to authorize special elections, hasn’t set a date yet for one to determine Connolly’s successor. A special election can’t be held within 55 days before a previously scheduled election.
Early voting in Fairfax County and the rest of Virginia is underway for a Democratic primary election on Tuesday, June 17 that will settle the party’s nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general.
