[co-author: Stephanie Kozol]*
In a closely contested Democratic primary held on Tuesday, June 17, Virginia state delegate Jay Jones narrowly defeated Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor in the race for attorney general. This outcome sets the stage for a November election against Republican incumbent Jason Miyares, who advanced unopposed from his primary.
According to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections, Jones secured 51% of the vote, while Taylor received 49%.
Jones, a former state delegate from Norfolk and a previous candidate for attorney general, returns to the political arena with a focus on various issues, including consumer protection, corporate accountability, and civil rights. During his tenure in the House of Delegates, he was involved in passing legislation related to Medicaid expansion, teacher pay increases, abortion rights, and the “Ashanti Alert” law for missing adults, which is now used nationwide.
His experience as an Assistant Attorney General in Washington, D.C., includes addressing issues involving alleged slumlords, gun manufacturers, and corporate price gouging. Jones’s campaign emphasizes continuing these efforts, particularly in examining corporate mergers and practices affecting working families.
*Senior Government Relations Manager