Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., ran against Connolly for the job but was defeated as the majority of Democrats opted to stick with the seniority system. Connolly has served on the Oversight Committee for more than 16 years.

Rep. Gerry Connolly, a veteran Virginia Democrat and ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, announced Monday he will not seek reelection and will soon step down from his leadership position on the powerful panel.

Va., wrote an open letter to constituents saying his “final chapter” in Congress is approaching as his esophageal cancer returned. The 75-year-old announced Monday he would