Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw is now one election away from succeeding his political mentor in Congress.
Walkinshaw bested nine other candidates in a firehouse primary to secure the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, local party officials announced today (Saturday) shortly before midnight.
He advances to face Republican nominee Stewart Whitson in September’s general election. The winner will serve out the remainder of the current term, taking the place of the late Rep. Gerry Connolly.
“We were fortunate to have 10 candidates to choose from in an intense and robust campaign, and we offer our sincere gratitude to all who participated,” 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee Chair Manisha Singh said. “Democrats turned out in record numbers for a firehouse primary and put Republicans on notice that we reject their extreme agenda. It is now time for us to unite behind the Democratic nominee, James Walkinshaw, and send him to Congress on September 9th.”
Walkinshaw received nearly 60% of the 37,624 total votes cast, his 22,403 votes exceeding all those cast for other candidates combined. State Del. Irene Shin (14.3%) narrowly edged out state Sen. Stella Pekarsky (13.4%) for the runner-up spot.
In a statement on his victory, Walkinshaw thanked his family, Connolly’s family, the district committee, the more than 500 volunteers who helped staff the primary and the nine other Democratic candidates.
“I’m honored & humbled to have earned the Democratic nomination for the district I’ve spent my career serving,” he said. “This victory was powered by neighbors, volunteers, and supporters who believe in protecting our democracy, defending our freedoms, and delivering for working families.”
I’m honored & humbled to have earned the Democratic nomination for the district I’ve spent my career serving. This victory was powered by neighbors, volunteers, and supporters who believe in protecting our democracy, defending our freedoms, and delivering for working families. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/nDByFMahrs
— James Walkinshaw (@JamesWalkinshaw) June 29, 2025
Considered a frontrunner in the race from the moment he declared his candidacy, Walkinshaw received Connolly’s endorsement prior to his death in May. Following a resurgence of esophageal cancer, Connolly himself asked Walkinshaw to run for the seat, according to Connolly’s widow, Smitty Connolly.
Walkinshaw had been working as Connolly’s first chief of staff in Congress for 11 years when he was first elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2019. An Annandale resident, he is currently in his second term representing the Braddock District.
Faced with their first election without an incumbent on the ballot since Connolly took office in 2008, Democratic voters in the 11th District crowded the Fairfax County Government Center earlier this week and the 17 voting sites set up today for the official primary.
Issues that concerned voters who spoke to FFXnow ranged from public education and health care to the Trump administration’s gutting of the federal workforce, reproductive rights, immigration and the genocide in Gaza.
Some voters expressed a desire for change and a break from the party establishment represented by Connolly and, by extension, Walkinshaw.
Lori Lash, a supporter of Vienna energy attorney Amy Roma, said she sought an alternative after reading Walkinshaw’s bio, because she “felt like he’s been a politician all his life.”
Mint, who voted for Irene Shin but deemed all of the candidates “fine,” called the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee’s decision not to allow ranked-choice voting the biggest disappointment of the primary.
“Without that, I feel like what’s likely to happen is just the person who has the support of the party establishment — in this case, Walkinshaw — is going to get the majority of the votes because it feels safer,” Mint said after voting at the City of Fairfax Regional Library. “… You lose nuance when it’s just pick one person, rather than ranked choice. That’s the message I would send to the Virginia Democrats: ranked choice next time.”
However, confidence in Walkinshaw was apparent as well, particularly among voters at Frost Middle School, which is in the Braddock District.
Several supporters highlighted Connolly’s endorsement, Walkinshaw’s experience in both Congress and on the Board of Supervisors, and his attention to the local community, which they hope will continue even if he advances to federal office.
“I wanted to vote for the strongest candidate,” one Walkinshaw voter at Frost Middle School said. “… It’s the first real competitive [primary], and I want to make sure that it’s not competitive in November with the Republican, because we need all the Democratic votes we can get.”
Another woman said she works for a federal contractor and finds the Trump administration’s gutting of the federal government “very worrisome.” Though she has some desire for “a little bit of separation from the current political structure,” she believes Walkinshaw will fight for federal workers and “put what’s best for the people that they represent … first.”
“I really subscribe to the whole thing of all politics is local. So, I think he’ll keep us here in the Braddock District and beyond in his head,” she said.
David Thomas recalled Walkinshaw being “very engaged” when visiting his neighborhood during his first campaign for Braddock District supervisor.
“A couple of times, we’ve had to go to his office to get assistance with something, and they’ve been very, very responsive,” Thomas said. “So, we’ve always been impressed with how he interacts with his constituents and his willingness to help.”
