Some Democrats were critical of Connolly’s election as the party’s leading figure on the committee, which came at a time when other senior committee members were effectively pressured to step aside in favor of younger representatives amid calls for a generational shift.

Democratic Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia announced Monday that he will not seek reelection and will step down from his position as the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, citing a recurrence of esophageal cancer.

Democratic Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly announced Monday that he will not seek reelection and will resign as the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee.