FAIRFAX, Va. (DC News Now) — Voters in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District are heading to the polls Tuesday to choose a new representative after the death of longtime Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly.

The special election pits Democrat James Walkinshaw, a Fairfax County Braddock District supervisor who previously served as Connolly’s chief of staff, against Republican Stewart Whitson, an Army combat veteran and former FBI special agent.

The 11th District includes most of Fairfax County and Fairfax City.

Election officials reported that, as of Saturday, early voter turnout was at 11%, with nearly 60,000 people casting ballots ahead of election day.

While campaigning, Walkinshaw has leaned on his ties to Connolly, promising to be a voice of dissent in Washington at a time when congressi

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