Candidates for Virginia's 11th Congressional District square off during public forum in Reston

by Gene Powell, Staff Writer

Democratic nominee James Walkinshaw (left) and Republican nominee Stewart Whitson (right) are running for the late Gerry Connolly's seat. Photos by Jared Serre.

Candidates for Virginia’s 11th Congressional district, which includes Reston, sparred at a July 27 public forum over issues ranging from federal government job cuts to social security solvency to energy needs and public safety.

Democratic nominee James Walkinshaw and Republican Stewart Whitson also took occasional forays into criticizing or defending policies and actions by President Donald J. Trump on immigration, interest rates, and education, and the ongoing war in Gaza.

The pair are competing for a vacant seat resulting from the death of U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly in May, from esophageal cancer. Connolly had held the office since 2009. The one-hour forum was sponsored by the Reston Citizens Association.

Early voting for the special election began July 25 and runs through Sept. 6. Ballots may be cast at the North County Government Center in Reston, and at the Fairfax County Government Center. The special election is set for Sept. 9.

Whitson is a former FBI special agent, served in the U.S. Army, and said he has “spent the last four and a half years on Capitol Hill fighting to advance conservative policies" as senior director for federal policies for the Foundation for Government Accountability.

Walkinshaw currently serves as a two-term member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, representing the Braddock District. He noted that prior to the board role, he spent 11 years as Rep. Connolly’s chief of staff.

Each candidate set priorities in his opening statement. Walkinshaw criticized what he called “reckless DOGE cuts”–cuts in staffing and expenditures by a special initiative created by President Trump–taking particular aim at the impact on the county’s economy and families.

Witson said he was motivated to run for the office because “families are frustrated … parents are ignored and sidelined, and money is being stolen by a never-ending wave of taxes.” He said those increasing taxes were “pushed by politicians” like Walkinshaw.

Walkinshaw–who criticized the GOP candidate as “Trump’s ally” several times–responded by saying the government should be on helping families hard-hit by job loss, “not focused on rounding up law-abiding members of our community,” an apparent reference to federal ICE immigration raids nationwide, some of which have been conducted in Northern Virginia.

Responding to an audience question on Social Security solvency and policies, Witson said, “The best way to keep Social Security solid is to promote work over welfare. And right now we have millions of able-bodied adults…that are sitting on the sideline and not engaging in the workforce.”

Walkinshaw said “Social Security solvency is a challenging problem, but it’s a math problem right now. The tax on Social Security is capped, and a billionaire pays the exact same dollar amount as a two-income family living right here in Fairfax County.” He also said welcoming younger immigrants to work and pay taxes into the retirement fund “is the best way to ensure the solvency of Social Security.”

Each candidate described what their first legislative move would be if elected:

Whitson said it would be the “Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act,” requiring “congressional preapproval before the executive branch could spend $100 million or more on a new rule or regulation.”

Walkinshaw said he would “introduce legislation to defund DOGE and legislation to restore the civil service protections that federal workers need.”

The forum was live-streamed by ABC 7 News- WJLA and is available on You Tube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUcbdfVHfGw&t=4176s/