A group led by Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair David Hogg, is getting involved in the race to replace the late Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly .
The group, Leader We Deserve, chose to endorse Virginia state Del. Irene Shin for the 11th Congressional District, with Hogg praising her as “an incredible progressive leader” who is “committed to doing things differently.
In turn, Shin also offered praise to the embattled Hogg.
“He’s never backed down from a tough fight — exactly the kind of bold leadership we need right now,” she said of the 25-year-old gun control activist in the release from Leaders We Deserve.
The new endorsement from Hogg’s group comes amid growing discontent with Hogg from other Democrats, some of whom argue the drama surrounding him is a distraction.
Shin is one of several Democrats in the crowded race for the blue Northern Virginia district, which includes the city of Fairfax and most of Fairfax County, alongside state Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D), Fairfax County planning commissioner Candice Bennett, Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw and others.
Shin had launched her campaign with an emphasis on “generational change,” a framing that many younger Democratic candidates are using as they look toward the 2026 midterms.
Connolly, who had represented the Virginia district since 2009, passed away last month after a short battle with cancer. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has set the special election to fill his seat for Sept. 9.
