James Walkinshaw
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James Walkinshaw | |
|---|---|
| Assuming office TBD // September/October 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Gerry Connolly |
| Member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from the Braddock district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | John Cook |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 22, 1982 Arlington, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Yvette Peña |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | New York University (BA) |
James R. Walkinshaw (born October 22, 1982) is an American politician serving as a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors representing the Braddock district since 2020. He previously worked as the chief of staff to the late U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly for over a decade and is the Democratic nominee in the 2025 special election to replace him.[1][2]
Early life and education
Walkinshaw was born in Arlington, Virginia, and grew up in Prince William County. He graduated from New York University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in politics.[3]
Career
In 2007, Walkinshaw began his career working as campaign director for Gerry Connolly's successful campaign for Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.[4] He worked on various land-use and public transportation issues including the development of the Mosaic District, the early stages of the Washington Metro’s Silver Line, opening the Fairfax County Parkway, and securing funding for the Virginia Railway Express.[3]
In 2009, he became Connolly's chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives.[1]
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
In 2019, Walkinshaw was elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from the Braddock district, replacing retiring Republican incumbent John Cook.[5] He cited cited education, expanding commuter's transportation options, and making the county carbon-neutral as his top goals if elected.[6] He was sworn in on December and his term started on January 1, 2020.
Committees and civic memberships
Walkinshaw served as chair of the Fairfax County Council to End Domestic Violence in 2022.[7]
2025 and 2026 congressional campaigns
In April 2025, Walkinshaw announced his campaign to succeed Connolly, who announced he would not run for re-election in 2026 and endorsed Walkinshaw.[1][8]
Following Connolly's death a month later, Walkinshaw launched his campaign for the June 28, 2025 special election to fill his vacant seat.[9] Protect Progress PAC, a cryptocurrency-focused political action committee, pledged $1 million in broadcast TV ads supporting Walkinshaw.[10] Fight for Virginia’s Future, a super PAC, spent $351,000 supporting him through advertisements, calls, and direct mail.[11]
Walkinshaw's frontrunner status drew ire from fellow candidates state delegate Irene Shin and state senator Stella Pekarsky, who alleged the local Democratic committee was engaging in undemocratic tactics and favoring Walkinshaw.[12] The 11th District Democratic committee, which had been stacked by Connolly, was criticized for opting to host a first past the post firehouse primary with just 3 weeks notice as well as for limited early voting and no absentee voting options.[13] Connolly's official social media accounts promoting Walkinshaw's candidacy, his campaign website being updated with an image of the two, and his official email soliciting donations to Walkinshaw— despite the congressman himself being dead— also drew scrutiny.[14][15]
He handily won the firehouse primary on June 28th with 59.64% of the vote and advanced to the September 9th special election against Republican nominee Stewart Whitson.[2]
Electoral history
2019
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | James R. Walkinshaw | 20,480 | 60.2 |
| Republican | Sherman J. Remer | 11,441 | 33.6 |
| Independent | Carey C. Campbell | 2,006 | 5.9 |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | James R. Walkinshaw | 6,413 | 67.2% |
| Democrat | Irma M. Corado | 3,128 | 32.8 |
2023
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | James R. Walkinshaw | 25,721 | 77.1% |
| Independent | Carey C. Campbell | 6,630 | 19.9% |
Personal life
Walkinshaw previously lived in the Ravensworth Farm neighborhood of unincorporated Fairfax County.[3] He currently resides in the Truro neighborhood of Annandale with his wife, Yvette Peña Walkinshaw, and their son, Mateo.[18]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Svirnovskiy, Gregory (May 6, 2025). "Gerry Connolly backs former chief of staff to fill his Northern Virginia seat". Politico. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "James Walkinshaw wins Democratic contest to likely replace US Rep. Connolly in northern Virginia". Associated Press. June 29, 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Woolsey, Angela (December 21, 2018). "Connolly chief of staff sets sights on Braddock District supervisor". Fairfax County Times. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ↑ Turque, Bill (October 31, 2007). "Firefighter Raises Unrelated To Contributions, Officials Say". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ↑ Douglas Moran, Catherine (December 17, 2019). "Meet the Members of Fairfax County's Board of Supervisors". Tysons Reporter. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ↑ Woolsey, Angela (April 19, 2019). "Meet Fairfax County's Braddock District supervisor candidates". Fairfax County Times. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ↑ Brokesh, Taylor (July 15, 2022). "Engaging men, boys in sexual violence prevention". Fairfax County Times. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ↑ Armus, Teo (May 7, 2025). "Rep. Gerry Connolly backs former aide to succeed him in Congress". Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ↑ Miller, Mitchell (June 3, 2025). "Special election set for seat of late Va. Rep. Gerry Connolly". WTOP-FM. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ↑ Dale, Brady (June 18, 2025). "Crypto group wades into Virginia special election". Axios. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- ↑ McIntire, Mary Ellen (June 17, 2025). "Candidates face sprint to nomination in special election for Connolly's seat". Roll Call. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- ↑ Kerley, Andrew (June 19, 2025). "Walkinshaw's frontrunner status sparks debate over fairness in Virginia's 11th Congressional District Primary". Virginia scope. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ↑ Armus, Teo (June 23, 2025). "Virginia Democrats' race to replace Rep. Connolly is a weeks-long sprint". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ↑ Manchester, Julia (June 24, 2025). "Deceased lawmaker's social media urges support for former aide in Virginia special election". The Hill. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ↑ Solender, Andrew (June 24, 2025). "Dead congressman promotes candidate for his seat on social media". Axios. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ↑ "Virginia Elections Database » 2019 Board of Supervisors General Election Fairfax County - Braddock". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ "Virginia Elections Database » 2019 Board of Supervisors Democratic Primary Fairfax County - Braddock". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ "Walkinshaw launches congressional campaign". Annandale today. June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
External links
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