Polls closed at 7 pm, and we should have official results in the next few hours from the VA11 Democratic “firehouse primary” held today for the seat of the late, great Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA11), who passed away on May 21. For official results once they’re posted, see here. I’ll use this blog post to update on whatever I’m hearing…including that the Stella Pekarsky campaign has already congratulated James Walkinshaw and encouraged everyone else to “get behind him for the special election in September so we can send Donald Trump the biggest possible message from Fairfax.”
P.S. The candidates in this primary were:Amy Papanu;Amy Roma; Candice Bennett; Dan Lee; Irene Shin; James Walkinshaw; Leo Martinez; Priya Punnoose; Stella Pekarsky and Ross Branstetter
UPDATE 6:05 am Sunday: Press releases from the Walkinshaw campaign – congratulations – and the VA11 Dem committee! Also, the results are as follows:
James Walkinshaw Wins Democratic Nomination in VA-11 Primary
Fairfax, VA – Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw (D-Braddock) has won the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District following today’s Firehouse Primary, organized by the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee in partnership with the Democratic Party of Virginia and local committees.
Walkinshaw, a former Chief of Staff to the late Congressman Gerry Connolly and current Fairfax County Supervisor, heads into the September 9th Special Election with a broad coalition of support, including more than 1,500 grassroots donors, hundreds of volunteers, and endorsements from over 55 elected leaders.
“I’m honored and humbled to have earned the Democratic nomination for the district I’ve spent my career serving,” said Supervisor Walkinshaw. “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 especially grateful to my wife, Yvette, our son, Mateo, and to the Connolly family—Smitty and Caitlin—for standing with me as we carry Gerry’s legacy forward. The real work begins now, and I’m ready to fight with everything I’ve got.”
Walkinshaw also thanked the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee, the more than 500 volunteers who administered the Firehouse Primary, and the nine other candidates.
“I deeply appreciate the volunteers who sacrificed hundreds of hours to ensure a smooth, fair, and transparent election. Democracy doesn’t just happen — it works because people step up and make it work. I’m incredibly grateful to each of them. I also want to thank the nine amazing Democrats who stepped up to run. Putting yourself out there to run for office is not easy, and they each brought real strengths to the race,” added Supervisor Walkinshaw.
###
UPDATE 10:12 pm: Del. Irene Shin also has congratulated James Walkinshaw – who I’m hearing might end up with 60% of the vote or close to 60% – and urged everyone to get behind him for the 9/9 special election.
UPDATE 9:40 pm: Everything I’m hearing and seeing is that not only is Walkinshaw going to win, he’s going to win with an absolute majority…maybe even getting close to the upper 50s or whatever. Impressive!
UPDATE 8:45 pm: Ben Tribbett tweets, “Early vote was definitely an illusion from where vote was coming from. Election Day got very old, white and east quickly.”
