Democrats React as Republican Majority Shrinks After Special Election
September 10, 2025
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The Democratic National Committee (DNC) reacted to the special-election win of James Walkinshaw to replace late U.S. Representative Gerald Connolly’s seat in Virginia.
The victory Tuesday night further shrinks the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
Why It Matters
The outcome whittles Speaker Mike Johnson’s already narrow margin in the House, shrinking the GOP’s effective working majority and complicating the path for party-line votes ahead of a looming government funding deadline at the end of September.
Before the election, the House stood with 219 Republicans and 212 Democrats; Walkinshaw’s win moves the balance closer and limits Johnson’s margin for defections.
What To Know
In a statement sent to Newsweek via email, DNC Chair Ken Martin reacted to the party’s win, saying, “Virginians are seeing Republicans for who they are: self-serving liars who will throw their constituents under the bus to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda — and they’re ready for change.
“Rep-elect Walkinshaw’s victory continues the dominant trend we’re seeing so far this year – Democrats are massively overperforming in nearly every race. With elections in less than two months in the Commonwealth, Virginians are fired up and ready to hold Trump and Virginia Republicans accountable for their billionaire-first agenda.”
Walkinshaw, 42, member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and former chief of staff to Connolly, ran to succeed Connolly after his death in May, The New York Times reports.
The seat is in a heavily Democratic district in northern Virginia.
The Associated Press called the race for Walkinshaw at 7:36 p.m. ET.
Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, speaks at a news conference with Texas Democrats at the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades union hall on August 5 in Aurora, Illinois. (Photo by… Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, speaks at a news conference with Texas Democrats at the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades union hall on August 5 in Aurora, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
What People Are Saying
Democrats on X Tuesday: “DEM WIN: Virginia’s 11th district is staying blue! Congratulations, @JamesWalkinshaw.”
Abigail Spanberger, former representative and current Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, on X Tuesday: “Congratulations to Congressman-Elect Walkinshaw! I know that @JamesWalkinshaw will honor Gerry Connolly’s legacy and deliver real results for working families in Virginia’s 11th District — and we are so fortunate to now have him in Congress.”
What Happens Next
Additional special elections could further shift the balance of power in the House.
One in Arizona to replace Representative Raúl Grijalva is set for September 23 and another in Houston to fill the seat previously held by Representative Sylvester Turner is scheduled for November 4. Both districts are expected to remain Democratic.
A special election for the Republican seat vacated by Representative Mark Green of Tennessee is scheduled for December 2.
Update 9/9/25, 10:05 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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