Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, who edged out New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) for a top Democratic post in December before stepping down, died from esophageal cancer on Wednesday, becoming the third Democrat to die in office this term.

The late congressman made headlines in December when, with support from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he defeated AOC to lead the House Oversight Committee, despite reportedly violating stock trading laws, according to Raw Story. AOC would have been the youngest Democrat to chair a House committee at 35 years old.

  • @carlossurf@lemmy.ca
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    501 day ago

    Whats with these old fucks not stepping down and enjoying what little they have left of their lives. Same with biden

    • Hanrahan
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      11 hour ago

      Becase they then become like his, iirrelevant, and its too much to think about for them.

    • @leadore@lemmy.world
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      12 hours ago

      It’s the addiction of power. Once someone has acquired it, they can’t give it up. Only exceptional people have the strength to resist and step down. Take Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who had been teetering on the line between this world and the next for years, if she had retired while Obama was president, the SCOTUS wouldn’t be so out of balance now. But she just couldn’t do it.

    • They’re literally unable to do anything else except remain in their protected little cocoons arguing with each other while people fawn over them and pay them for their favor.

      They’re like the minor peerage of old. All trying to hang on to their name and title to keep their ego afloat.

    • @rumba@lemmy.zip
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      81 day ago

      He was somewhat apprehensive about his first term; he just didn’t want Trump to get in.

      When he came back for round two, he seemed to have unfinished business tho