Jay Jones became the Democratic Party nominee for the position of Virginia Attorney General after securing a narrow win in the June 17 primary race. He’ll go on to face Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in the November general election.
Miyares advanced from the Republican primary after running opposed.
A former state delegate from Norfolk and previous candidate for attorney general, Jones beat Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor in their party’s close primary race, taking 51 percent of the vote to Taylor’s 49 percent.
Jones’ platform has been centered on consumer protection, corporate accountability and civil rights. While serving in the Virginia House of Delegates, he was involved in passing legislation related to Medicaid expansion, teacher pay increases and abortion rights, as well as the “Ashanti Alert” law for missing adults, which has gone on to see nationwide adoption and use.
Throughout the election cycle, Jones has pointed to his experience as an Assistant Attorney General in Washington, D.C., which includes addressing issues involving alleged slumlords, gun manufacturers and corporate price gouging. Jones’s campaign reportedly looks to continue these efforts, particularly in examining corporate mergers and representing working families.