Fairfax, VA – Today, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), IAMAW, AFL-CIO announced its endorsement of Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw for Congress, calling him the best-prepared candidate to defend federal workers, protect the Constitution, and continue the work of Congressman Gerry Connolly—on Day One.
The endorsement comes at a critical moment, as federal workers face escalating political attacks from Donald Trump and a far-right Congress eager to dismantle the institutions that keep the federal government accountable and effective.
“We are at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. We have a president who believes he is above the Constitution, leading a lawless administration intoxicated by unchecked power. At the same time, a complicit Republican Congress refuses to uphold the law or defend the separation of powers.
That’s why we’re proud to support James Walkinshaw to continue the extraordinary legacy of Rep. Gerry Connolly. James is well-versed in the federal government’s inner workings,” said Randy Erwin, National President, National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW, AFL-CIO. “He’s been on the front lines of every significant political battle affecting federal employees and the contractors who serve the American people. James is ready to lead on Day One—and to fight for the integrity of our government, the rights of public servants, and the rule of law.”
Walkinshaw spent over a decade as Chief of Staff to Congressman Gerry Connolly, fighting to strengthen the federal workforce, raise pay, protect benefits, and defend public servants from Trump’s attacks.
On the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Walkinshaw continued that fight—delivering for working families and championing good governance.
“I’m deeply honored to have the support of the National Federation of Federal Employees,” said Supervisor Walkinshaw. “With tens of thousands of federal workers across our district, I’m proud to be NFFE’s choice to fight Trump’s dangerous agenda. Trump and his allies in Congress have launched an all-out assault on the public servants who keep our government running. I’ve been proud to fight for them my entire career, and I’ll never back down in that fight.”
Walkinshaw’s campaign for Congress continues to rapidly generate momentum with 49 endorsements from federal, state, and local leaders—and growing grassroots support from across Virginia’s 11th District.
The Democratic Firehouse Primary for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
Additional endorsements will be announced in the days ahead.
Current Endorsements Include:
Federal
- National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW, AFL-CIO
- Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08)
- Former Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11)
- Former Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (VA-10)
State
- Former Attorney General Mark Herring
- Former Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (HD-41)
- State Senator Barbara Favola (SD-40)
- State Senator Jennifer Boysko (SD-38)
- State Senator Dave Marsden (SD-35)
- Delegate David Bulova (HD-11)
- Delegate Vivian Watts (HD-14)
- Delegate Briana Sewell (HD-25)
- Delegate Rip Sullivan (HD-6)
Local
- Fairfax County Chairman Jeff McKay
- Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid
- Supervisor Jimmy Bierman (Dranesville)
- Supervisor Rodney Lusk (Franconia)
- Supervisor Walter Alcorn (Hunter Mill)
- Supervisor Andres Jimenez (Mason)
- Supervisor Dan Storck (Mount Vernon)
- Supervisor Dalia Palchik (Providence)
- Supervisor Kathy Smith (Sully)
- Former Fairfax County Chairman Sharon Bulova (Braddock)
- Former Fairfax County Vice Chairman Penny Gross (Mason)
- Former Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust (Dranesville)
- City of Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read
- Former City of Fairfax Mayor David Meyer
- City of Fairfax Councilmember Billy Bates
- City of Fairfax Councilmember Stacey Hardy-Chandler
- Former City of Fairfax Councilmember Joseph Harmon
- Former City of Fairfax Councilmember So Lim
- Former City of Fairfax Councilmember Janice Miller
- Former City of Fairfax Councilmember Tom Ross
- Town of Herndon Mayor Keven LeBlanc
- Former Town of Herndon Mayor Sheila Olem
- Former Town of Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel
- Former Town of Herndon Mayor Mike O’Reilly
- Fairfax County School Board Chair Karl Frisch (Providence)
- Fairfax County School Board Vice Chair Sandy Anderson (Springfield)
- Fairfax County School Board Member and former Chair Rachna Sizemore Heizer (Braddock)
- Fairfax County School Board Member and former Chair Ilryong Moon (At-Large)
- Fairfax County School Board Member Marcia St. John-Cunning (Franconia)
- Former Fairfax County School Board Member Megan McLaughlin (Braddock)
- Former Fairfax County School Board Chair and Member Sandy Evans (Mason)
- City of Fairfax School Board Chair Carolyn Pitches
- City of Fairfax School Board Vice Chair Amit Hickman
- City of Fairfax School Board Member Lauren Bartelme
- City of Fairfax School Board Member Kristina Cecere
- City of Fairfax School Board Member Sarah Kelsey
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James Walkinshaw has devoted his career to ensuring that Northern Virginia remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. He served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Gerry Connolly for more than a decade, stood up to the Trump Administration on the Board of Supervisors, and now he’s running for Congress to stop Trump’s dangerous agenda and deliver for Fairfax.
