Washington — Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia died Wednesday, his family announced. He was 75 years old. Connolly's death comes weeks after he announced that he would not seek reelection in 2026 and would be stepping back from his post as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee because his cancer had returned.

The death of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) revived a fierce battle over age that has bedeviled the Democratic Party. Connolly died on Wednesday at the age of 75 after a recurrence of cancer forced the Virginia lawmaker to step down as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee last month.

Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee known for his vocal advocacy of federal workers and his frequent clashes with Republicans during televised hearings,