Jay Jones makes Virginia attorney general run official

The former Norfolk state delegate’s official entry into the race marks his second attempt to win the Democratic nomination for Virginia attorney general.

Jay Jones will once again seek the Democratic nomination for Virginia attorney general in 2025.

Jones officially announced his candidacy Tuesday after he was widely expected to enter the race. In his announcement, Jones issued a warning about the incoming Trump Administration and Virginia’s current attorney general, Republican Jason Miyares. 

“The incoming Trump administration threatens families with higher health care costs, higher prices & hazards to our health,” Jones said in a thread posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Trump has an eager accomplice in Attorney General Miyares, who’s used his office to advance his own radical, ideological agenda, not protect Virginians.”

Today, with hope for a brighter future for our Commonwealth and our nation, I am proud to announce my campaign for Attorney General of Virginia. As Virginia’s Attorney General, my highest priority will always be the safety and freedom of Virginia families.

— Jay Jones (@jonesjay) November 12, 2024

Jones ran in the 2021 Democratic primary for attorney general but lost to then-incumbent Democrat Mark Herring, who eventually lost to Miyares. 

Miyares has not announced his plans, but there is speculation that he could run for reelection or enter the Republican primary for governor. Miyares helped fuel the speculation Tuesday by posting an attack on Jones and Shannon Taylor, the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney, who is also running for attorney general. 

“Both of the announced Democrat candidates for Attorney General are far-left, anti-police, criminal rights progressives who will make Virginia less safe,” Miyares said.

Both of the announced Democrat candidates for Attorney General are far-left, anti-police, criminal rights progressives who will make Virginia less safe. They will support the same criminal first, victim last policies that lead to a surge in violent crime.

Public safety demands…

— Jason Miyares (@JasonMiyaresVA) November 12, 2024

Jones previously served in the House of Delegates representing a district in Norfolk. If successful, Jones would become the first African-American elected as Virginia’s attorney general. 

Virginia will have elections for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general in 2025. The statewide races draw national attention as a bellwether for the national mood the year after presidential races.