Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) announced that he will resign as the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee amid his ongoing battle with cancer.
“I want to begin by thanking you for your good wishes and compassion as I continue to tackle my diagnosis. Your outpouring of love and support has given me strength in my fights – both against cancer and in our collective defense of democracy,” Connolly said in a statement.
“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,” he added, noting that 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. 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,” he said. “My loving family and staff sustain me. My extended family – you all have been a joy to serve.”
Connolly shared his cancer diagnosis in November, calling it a “surprise.”
“I have cancer of the esophagus. It was a surprise because, except for some intermittent abdominal aches and pains, I had no symptoms,” he said at the time. “I’m going to undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy right away. Cancer can be tough. But so am I. I will attack this the only way I know how – with Irish fight and humor.”
