WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic U.S. Representative Gerald Connolly has died following his diagnosis with cancer of the esophagus last year, his family said in a statement posted to the Virginia lawmaker’s account on X on Wednesday. He was 75.

Connolly, first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 and the top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, died at home in Northern Virginia outside Washington earlier on Wednesday.

“We were fortunate to share Gerry with Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years,” his family wrote, calling him “a fierce defender of democracy” and a champion for the environment. “Gerry lived his life to give back to others and make our community better.”

Fellow lawmakers called him a tireless public servant, and noted his wor

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