In yet another blow to the Democrat Party power structure, ranking Democrat on the House Oversignt Committee Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA) announced that he would not seek retirement in 2026 because of an esophageal cancer diagnosis.

Connolly, 74, said on Monday that his cancer had returned and prompted his decision to retire from the House. He defeated Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for the position in what observers said was a generational fight within the party.

“When I announced my diagnosis six months ago, I promised transparency,” Connolly wrote in a statement on X. “After grueling treatment, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned. I’ll do everything possible to continue to represent you and thank you for your grace.”

“The sun is setting on my time in public service, and this will be my last term in Congress,” Connolly added.

"Rooting for him"

Chairman of the Oversight Committee James Comer (R-KY) said of Connolly's announcement:

I’m saddened to hear that Ranking Member Connolly’s cancer has returned. He is a steadfast public servant who has spent his career serving Northern Virginians with honor and integrity,” House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said in a statement. “It’s an honor to serve the American people alongside him and I am rooting for him as he battles cancer once again. Our prayers are with Ranking Member Connolly and his family.

Ocasio-Cortez dropped off the committee after she failed to win the top spot from Connolly, so it was not immediately clear who would succeed him in the position.

Connolly asked Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) to temporarily lead the committee in his absence, and Lynch said he would pursue the leadership spot with Connolly's blessing, according to Politico.

It's also possible that Ocasio-Cortez could vie for the spot once more. She would have to jump through more procedural hoops to do so, but it could be done if she wants to leave her spot on the more powerful Energy and Commerce Committee.

So far, Ocasio-Cortez has only said, “Right now there’s no vacancy, because ranking member Connolly is stepping back. He’s not necessarily stepping down from the committee. So I want to respect that.”

Other possibilities

Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett and California Democratic Reps. Robert Garcia and Ro Khanna could be possibilities as well, as they are among the better-known members of the committee on the Democrat side.

The express purpose of the Oversight Committee is to hold the federal government accountable.

Becoming the ranking Democrat could give Ocasio-Cortez (or whoever ends up in it) the power to criticize or move against President Donald Trump and his administration--even though with Republicans in the majority, their power would be rather limited.

Ocasio-Cortez may be better off waiting until 2026 to see if Democrats can gain enough seats to win back a majority. That outcome is fairly likely since the party out of power usually gains seats in a midterm election.

Meanwhile, "A number of members are exploring a run as they wait to see if AOC wants to do it," one House Democrat told Axios.