Capitol Hill was shocked this week to learn of the death of Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly, who was first elected to Congress in 2008.

According to The Hill, Connolly's death came as a result of his short bout with esophageal cancer. He was 75. His final act in Congress involved signing an important awareness bill for the form of cancer he suffered. 

Connolly's death was confirmed by his family, according to reports.

This year, he rose to the position of senior Democrat on the powerful House Oversight and Government Reform Committee -- a position he tried twice, previously, to obtain.

What happened?

Connolly was popular enough in his party to overcome a challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for his committee position, which The Hill said "rekindled" the role of seniority within Congress when it comes to such things.

The Hill noted:

Connolly’s illness had caused him to step back from his daily responsibilities on the Oversight Committee last month, when he tapped Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), another senior member of the panel, to take the seat as interim ranking member — a temporary position requiring no elections.

His final act in Congress was significant both for the public, and personally.

The Hill noted:

On Tuesday, Connolly joined forces with Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the chair of the Oversight Committee, to sponsor what would be his final piece of legislation: the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act.

Connolly's family issued a touching statement remembering him for who he was inside and outside of Congress, noting that he was a staple in Northern Virginia politics for decades.

"Gerry lived his life to give back to others and make our community better," the family wrote in a statement. "He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just."

“[M]ore important than his accomplishments in elected office, Gerry lived by the ethos of ‘bloom where you are planted,’” they said. “From the Silver Line to the Oakton Library, Mosaic District to the Cross County Trail and beyond, his legacy now colors our region."

Heated contest coming

With his passing, many expect nothing short of a battle for his powerful committee seat.

Some believe that up-and-coming, younger Democrats will vie for the seat against perhaps some of the more seasoned Dems in Congress.

AOC confirmed to reporters that she will not seek the seat.