Virginia Congressman To Retire After Cancer Returns

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., says he is stepping backmost from his activity rolls successful Congress and will not tally for re-election aft announcing that his crab has returned connected Monday.

Connolly will measurement down from his domiciled arsenic ranking personnel connected nan House Oversight Committee successful nan coming days, he says. The lawmaker announced his first test pinch esophageal crab astir six months ago.

"After grueling treatments, we've learned that my cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned," Connolly said successful a connection to constituents. "I'll do everything imaginable to proceed to correspond you and convey you for your grace."

"The sun is mounting connected my clip successful nationalist service, and this will beryllium my past word successful Congress. I will beryllium stepping backmost arsenic Ranking Member of nan Oversight Committee soon. With nary rancor and a afloat heart, I move into this last section afloat of pridefulness successful what we've accomplished together complete 30 years," he added.

HOUSE DEMS DEMAND 'PROOF OF LIFE' OF ABREGO GARCIA AFTER BEING DENIED MEETING IN EL SALVADOR

Rep. Gerry Connolly says he will not tally for re-election aft learning that his crab has returned. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Well-wishes for Connolly quickly began to travel successful pursuing his announcement. 

"Throughout his career, Gerry Connolly has exemplified nan very champion of nationalist work — fiercely intelligent, profoundly principled, and relentlessly committed to nan group of Northern Virginia and our nation," said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. "Whether it’s opinionated up for national workers, advocating for bully governance, aliases now confronting crab pinch nan aforesaid resilience and grit that person defined his life of nationalist service, Gerry is 1 of nan toughest fighters I know."

Ranking Member of nan House Oversight Committee, Rep. Gerry Connolly, R-Ma.  (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Connolly is presently serving his ninth word successful nan U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 11th District, according to his online biography. His territory is centered successful Fairfax County and includes nan able suburbs extracurricular nan nation's capital.

DEMS FUME OVER 'DUE PROCESS' FOR ABREGO GARCIA DESPITE LONG HISTORY OF PARTY BUCKING THE LEGAL PRINCIPLE

The 75-year-old won his existent word by defeating Republican Mike Van Meter, a Navy seasoned and erstwhile FBI agent.

Sen. Mark Warner sent his good wishes to Connolly, a chap Virginia Democrat, connected Monday. (Reuters)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Connolly has been a fixture successful bluish Virginia politics for astir 30 years. He was first elected arsenic a Fairfax County supervisor successful 1995. In Congress, he has played a starring domiciled successful oversight investigations.

Fox News' Pilar Arias contributed to this report.