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Democrats, Republicans schedule candidate forums in 11th Congressional District race

By Jared Serre
Election Day voters check in at Cunningham Park Elementary School in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Candidates seeking to fill out the remainder of Rep. Gerry Connolly‘s term in Congress will speak directly to voters next week.

With a special election set for Sept. 9, both Democrats and Republicans have scheduled candidate forums to give voters insight into their potential nominees, who will be determined on Saturday, June 28.

A total of 18 candidates across the two parties are vying to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, ranging from veteran politicos to legislative newbies.

The winner of September’s election will serve the roughly 16 months that remain on Connolly’s term, thereby gaining a major advantage should they decide to run in the subsequent 2026 midterm elections.

Republicans: Sunday and Monday (June 22-23)

As a joint effort between the Fairfax GOP and the 11th Congressional District Republican Committee, local Republicans will host two candidate forums on back-to-back days.

First, WMAL’s Vince Coglianese will moderate a forum scheduled to start at 3 p.m. this Sunday (June 22) at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue). The following day, WMAL’s Larry O’Connor will moderate a second forum that will be held at 7 p.m. in the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway).

RSVPs are encouraged and can be submitted via the Fairfax GOP’s website.

All seven declared candidates will participate in both events:

Voters will then head to the party’s lone canvass event later in the week (June 28) to determine the Republican nominee. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fairfax High School.

Democrats: Tuesday (June 24)

Local Democratic officials have scheduled one candidate forum that will be held in Reston four days before voters head to the polls.

Tuesday’s event, which is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., will be moderated by Rep. Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.

Pre-registration is required for the event due to space limitations, according to a press release. The address of the forum is being sent to those who register once they’re approved.

Of the 11 candidates seeking the Democratic nomination, eight will participate in the forum:

U.S. Navy veteran Josh Aisen, as well as recent race newcomers Priya Punnoose and Isaac Day, aren’t listed among the expected participants.

For those who can’t attend in person, the forum will be recorded and uploaded afterward to the YouTube page of host and local business owner Radhika Murari.

Those voting in the Democratic primary will be able to take advantage of three days of early voting, running from next Tuesday through Thursday (June 24-26) at the Fairfax County Government Center.

For the June 28 primary, there will be 17 different locations where Democrats can cast their ballot. More information can be found at CD11votes.com.

About the Author

  • Jared Serre covers local business, public safety and breaking news across Local News Now's websites. Originally from Northeast Ohio, he is a graduate of West Virginia University. He previously worked with Law360 before joining LNN in May 2024.