Virginia AG Miyares will run for re-election, not governor in 2025

The move sets up an easier path for Winsome Earle-Sears to become the Republican nominee for governor next year.

Virginia Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares announced on Monday he will seek a second term as the state’s top lawyer, rather than make a run for the governor’s mansion. 

Miyares’ announcement clears the way for Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl-Seares to become the Republican nominee for governor in 2025, barring anyone else jumping in the race. With Rep. Abigail Spanberger being the only Democratic candidate for governor, it would appear that Virginia is on track to elect its first woman governor next year. 

Before Monday’s announcement, Virginia political watchers speculated that Miyares might try to run for governor. But by opting to seek a second term as the state’s top lawyer, he could help Virginia Republicans avoid a costly primary. 

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday endorsed Miyares for Attorney General and Earle-Sears for Governor. The state constitution prevents Virginia governors from serving consecutive terms.

In a video announcement, Miyares highlighted his launch of Project Ceasefire, an initiative to reduce violent crime in Virginia; his support for regulations for how kids use social media; and his work to combat fatal drug overdoses. He touted his pride in being the child of an immigrant after his mother fled communist Cuba. 

More recently, Miyares has come under fire from Democrats for not speaking out against the Trump Administration’s nomination of Matt Gaetz, who is accused of having sex with a minor, to be the US Attorney General. Gaetz denies any wrongdoing. 

It’s sad that VA House Republicans who sanctimoniously lecture everyone each year on the dangers of sex trafficking won’t say a word about @mattgaetz being the Attorney General of the United States. https://t.co/0KxMCPnrFw

— Don Scott (@DonScott757) November 15, 2024

Two Democrats are competing to face Miyares in the fall. Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor and former Norfolk state Delegate Jay Jones are running in the Democratic Attorney General’s primary. 

Jones wasted no time in attacking Miyares after his announcement Monday, saying that Miyares has failed Virginia as Attorney General.

Attorney General Miyares has failed us as Attorney General.

Instead of protecting our families, he’s been a partisan warrior for his extremist agenda.

And now he’s running for reelection to give Donald Trump a blank check.

Next November, we will stop him.

— Jay Jones (@jonesjay) November 18, 2024