The social media account of former Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly, who died in office last month, called on voters in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District to support his former chief of staff, James Walkinshaw, in the special election primary.
According to his website, Connolly endorsed Walkinshaw before his death. The post received some backlash online.
“A hill chief using his deceased boss’ campaign account to promote himself? This is a new low…” a staffer from the National Republican Senatorial Committee said on X.
The primary in the heavily Democratic district will be held on June 28. Whoever wins the primary will likely go on to win the special election on Sept. 9. In addition to Walkinshaw, several other Democrats are vying for the nomination.
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It is unclear who made the post. According to the account’s bio, “All posts made with the consent of the Connolly family.”
His office of constituent services did not respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner about who made the post.