Fairfax, VA — Today, Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw (D-Braddock), who served more than a decade as Rep. Gerry Connolly’s Chief of Staff, officially announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress in Virginia’s 11th District. Walkinshaw enters the race following Connolly’s announcement that this will be his final term in Congress, after more than three decades of distinguished service to Northern Virginia and the nation.
“Congressman Connolly’s impact on Fairfax, Virginia, and our nation is immeasurable, and his work has touched every corner of our community,” said Walkinshaw. “To me, he is a dear friend and mentor who has made me a better person and public servant. There is no candidate who can replace Gerry Connolly. But I was by his side during the toughest fights, including during Trump’s first term, and I’m ready to fight for Fairfax on day one.”
Walkinshaw is a lifelong Northern Virginian. He is the son of a plumber and a nurse who taught him to work hard, always do the right thing, and never back down from a bully. He has spent his entire career fighting for Fairfax, first as Chief of Staff to Rep. Connolly and now on the Board of Supervisors.
As Chief of Staff to Rep. Connolly, Walkinshaw worked alongside him to pass the Affordable Care Act, deliver federal funds for Fairfax, defend federal employees, and stand up to Donald Trump’s attacks on immigrants, civil rights, and health care.
“Since flipping a Republican-held seat in 2019, I’ve brought the passionate progressive approach that I learned from Connolly to my work on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors,” said Walkinshaw. “I led the fight to ban guns in our libraries and rec centers, delivered record investments in teacher pay, defended abortion access after the fall of Roe, and took bold action on climate change.”
When Trump’s top immigration henchman, Stephen Miller, threatened to jail him and other elected officials for refusing to turn local police into Trump’s mass deportation force, Walkinshaw stood firm with the community. “I didn’t back down, and I never will,” Walkinshaw added.
Now, Walkinshaw says, the stakes are higher than ever, adding, “This is a five-alarm fire moment for democracy. Step one to stopping Trump is securing a big win for the Virginia Democratic ticket in 2025 and step two is taking back Congress in 2026. Our campaign this year will be focused on building capacity and supporting the incredible Democrats on the ballot in Virginia this November,” Walkinshaw concluded.
Walkinshaw has secured endorsements from federal, state, and local officials in Virginia’s 11th District that will be announced in the coming days.
Learn more and join the campaign at: www.jameswalkinshaw.org.
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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.
