Longtime Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly announced on Thursday that he has been diagnosed with cancer. The eight-term congressman, who secured reelection on Tuesday, issued a statement revealing he had esophagus cancer. The statement states that he learned of the diagnosis “a few days ago,” meaning he potentially knew of the health issue prior to Tuesday’s election. “It was a surprise because, except for some intermittent abdominal aches and pains, I had no symptoms,” Connolly, 74, said in the release. “I’m going to undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy right away. Cancer can be tough…