Heart surgery, resulting complications force Republican candidate to drop out of lieutenant governor race

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Pat Herrity, a Republican candidate for Virginia’s next lieutenant governor, is dropping out of the race, saying on Monday that he cannot continue due to his recent heart surgery and its resulting complications.

Herrity began his campaign for lieutenant governor in early January, with over 15 years of public service on Fairfax County's Board of Supervisors under his belt. In mid-March, he announced that a medical event and subsequent surgery required him to take a step back from campaigning.

Over a month later, on Monday, April 21, Herrity provided an update on both his condition and the state of his campaign in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. In this statement, he revealed that what had initially been meant to be a temporary break from the campaign trail, would now become permanent.

"Since my heart surgery on March 13th and the subsequent complications, I have been working hard to regain my strength and return to the campaign trail," Herrity said.

"As I learned and was enjoying prior to my surgery, a statewide campaign requires significant travel, multiple appearances per evening, being 'on' all of the time and incredible stamina. I have come to the realization that my ability to get back to the 150 percent that I was giving to run a statewide race and that will be necessary to win in November is not possible at the near future. Realizing that I can’t give it my all for the ticket, my supporters and donors is already causing me great stress. I believe making this decision now is in the best interest of both my health and the ticket," Herrity continued.

Herrity also addressed the medical event he experienced in March, seeking to clarify the nature of it.

"I can assure you that I did not have a stroke or heart attack and I am walking over three miles a day and climbing stairs," Herrity said. "As we reported on March 14th, I had heart surgery to repair a genetic defect. Unfortunately, in the weeks since the surgery I have had several complications that have impacted my recovery time. My doctors are still predicting a full recovery but I have come to realize it will be much slower than anticipated. Unfortunately, the 150 percent effort required for a statewide campaign would also significantly delay my recovery, put undue stress on my health and come with some risk, hence my decision to end the 2025 campaign now."

Herrity emphasized his support for the Republican candidate for governor, current Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, and the Republican candidate for Attorney General--current Attorney General Jason Miyares.

"It has been an extreme pleasure and honor to meet so many great people and leaders as I traveled the Commonwealth early in the campaign," Herrity said. "I have learned so much about Virginia and its very different challenges. I have been extremely humbled by the generous welcome and the support I received on the campaign trail. It is an experience I will not forget and will put to good use in my continued public service. I remain committed to serving the residents of Fairfax County as the voice of balance and common sense on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors."

With Herrity leaving the race, News Radio WRVA morning host John Reid will become the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor. In a statement issued after Herrity's announcement, Reid thanked him for his work and wished him well.

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“I am sure all Virginians join me in praying for Supervisor Pat Herrity and his continued recovery," Reid said. "Pat has been a gentleman during this campaign and he has devoted many years of his life to serving the people of Fairfax and of Virginia. We all owe a debt of gratitude to responsible men and women who step forward into the arena, sacrificing their time and often personal lives to offer leadership."