Latest news with #ShannonTaylor
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia attorney general primary: Jay Jones wins Democratic nomination
Jay Jones emerged victorious in Tuesday's primary election as the Democratic nominee for attorney general. He will face incumbent Republican Jason Miyares in November. With 95% of votes counted, The Associated Press called the race for Jones. Jones, an attorney who previously represented Norfolk in the Virginia House of Delegates, had 51% of the vote compared to Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor, who had 49%. The mood was joyous at a Norfolk watch party at Afterglow Brewing as the race was called. Jones and wife Mavis arrived shortly after 10 p.m. to cheers and applause. In a speech to supporters, Jones thanked the campaign and said he was honored to accept the nomination. 'I am ready for this fight and I am ready to win,' Jones said to more cheers. Jones also launched attacks against Miyares, calling him President Donald Trump's pro bono lawyer. 'We deserve better,' Jones said. 'We can do better, and we will get better this November.' In an emailed statement, Taylor thanked her campaign and called on supporters to rally behind Jones and the Democratic ticket in November. 'This campaign may be over, but our movement is not,' Taylor said. This is Jones' second run for attorney general. He previously ran against then-incumbent Mark Herring in the 2021 Democratic primary — Herring won with about 57% of the vote but went on to lose to Miyares in the general election. In this election, Herring, alongside former Attorney General Mary Sue Terry and six commonwealth's attorneys, endorsed Taylor. Jones was also endorsed by powerful Democrats, including US Sen. Cory Booker and former Virginia governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam. He represented parts of Norfolk in the General Assembly from 2018 until he stepped down at the end of 2021 just after his reelection. On the campaign trail, Taylor highlighted Jones's comparative lack of experience. Though Jones is an attorney and previously served as state delegate representing Norfolk and as an assistant attorney general in D.C., he had never prosecuted a criminal case. Jones raised more than $2.7 million to Taylor's $2.1 million. Taylor's biggest donor was Dominion Energy, which donated $800,000 to her campaign. Jones was endorsed by Clean Virginia, a major donation group that funds candidates who decline to accept money from Virginia's biggest publicly regulated utility. Kate Seltzer, 757-713-7881,
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jay Jones to take on Jason Miyares in Virginia Attorney General race
RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) – Jay Jones has won the Democratic nomination for Attorney General in Virginia, setting up a contest against Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in the upcoming election. Jones narrowly defeated Shannon Taylor, securing 51% of the votes compared to Taylor's 49%. This victory positions him to challenge Miyares in the general election scheduled for November 4, 2025. Breaking down Virginia primary election results 'Virginians are ready for change, ready to get our state back on track,' said Jones, emphasizing his commitment to working for the people rather than select interests. Jones has outlined his priorities, which include addressing crime, gun violence, and workforce issues. His campaign has focused on these key areas as he prepares to face Miyares in the election. In addition to the Attorney General race, Virginians will also decide on their next governor in November. Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears, who ran unopposed in their respective primaries, will make history regardless of the outcome, as Virginia has never had a woman governor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNN
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Jay Jones wins Democratic nomination for Virginia attorney general
Former Del. Jay Jones will look to be the face of legal resistance to President Donald Trump in Virginia after winning the Democratic nomination for attorney general. The race was closely watched among the down-ballot contests in Tuesday's Democratic primary election. He will face Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares in the November general election. Democrats are also nominating a candidate for lieutenant governor from a field of six candidates, who remained locked in a tight race Tuesday night. Jones defeated Shannon Taylor for the Democratic nomination in the race for attorney general despite his opponent casting him as lacking criminal prosecutorial experience. 'I am ready for this fight and to win this November,' Jones said in a victory statement. Jones, who represented Norfolk in the House of Delegates for four years, comes from a long line of Hampton Roads politicians. His father was also a delegate, and his grandfather was the first Black member of the Norfolk School Board. Jones previously ran for attorney general in 2021 but lost the primary to Democratic incumbent Mark Herring. State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi led former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney in the Democratic primary battle for lieutenant governor by a narrow margin. Ballots remained to be counted, and close margins made the race too early to call. The races will determine Democrats' statewide ticket and set the stage for a bellwether election later this year. Most of the nominees slated to be at the top of the November ticket have already been picked, and Republicans aren't having a statewide primary. The November gubernatorial election is sure to make history. Democrat Abigail Spanberger, who ran for the Democratic nomination unopposed, will battle Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears — the only Republican who qualified for the ballot. Their candidacies all but guarantee that Virginia will have a female governor — a first in the state's history since Patrick Henry's governorship nearly 250 years ago. Virginia is one of two states that host statewide elections the year after a presidential election — New Jersey is the other — and the races are typically seen as referendums on the party in power before Congress heads into midterm elections. Analysts will be looking for clues in both states about voter sentiment with Trump back in the Oval Office and Republicans controlling power in Washington. Democrats' hold on Virginia has slipped in recent years, moving it close to swing-state status nationally. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin beat former Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2021. And although Democrats narrowly gained back complete control of the Legislature in a 2023 election, then-Vice President Kamala Harris won Virginia last year by less than six points, compared to former President Joe Biden's 10-point lead in 2020. Still, Democrats have history on their side: The party of the sitting president typically suffers defeat in Virginia's statewide races. And considering Trump has never won the state, Democrats are probably better positioned to make gains once their ticket solidifies. The six Democrats vying to be Virginia's next lieutenant governor aren't all that different on the issues: They support rights to abortion, a living wage, affordable housing and accessible health care. They also share similar criticisms of Trump. The candidates notably fracture along regional lines, and distinctions emerge in what they have emphasized in stump speeches along the campaign trail. Stoney has touted his ties to the Democratic Party and experience working under former Govs. Mark Warner and Terry McAuliffe. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg endorsed his campaign in June. Hashmi is also from the Richmond area, representing part of the city and suburbs. Hashmi has pushed reproductive health in her bid and has been endorsed by abortion rights political action committees. Virginia state Sen. Aaron Rouse, from Virginia Beach with ties to southwest Virginia, has also highlighted his legislative accomplishments. Prince William County School Board Chair Babur Lateef, former federal prosecutor Victor Salgado and retired US Department of Labor worker Alex Bastani are from northern Virginia. Lateef, an eye surgeon, has honed in on education and health care. Salgado has stressed the importance of strengthening democracy, and Bastani has emphasized labor rights. Only one Republican candidate in each statewide contest is advancing to the ballot. Earle-Sears became the gubernatorial nominee after Republicans Dave LaRock and Amanda Chase failed to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. Both LaRock and Chase initially challenged Earle-Sears for not being fully aligned with Trump. Conservative talk-radio host John Reid became the de facto nominee for lieutenant governor after his primary opponent left the race, and despite intraparty quarreling over whether he was tied to a social media account reposting pornography. Miyares sailed to his spot on the ballot as the nominee for attorney general after announcing his reelection bid. On Tuesday night, he said of Jones' victory: 'My opponent's ideological record makes Virginia families less safe and our streets more violent.' All 100 seats of the House of Delegates are up for election in November, and some nomination contests took place in Virginia's more competitive districts. Democrat May Nivar won her primary race and will be taking on Republican incumbent Del. David Owen in a Richmond-area district that House liberals are vying to flip. Democrat Lindsey Dougherty won her primary race and will battle Republican Del. Carrie Coyner in a Petersburg-area district. Republicans and Democrats also had separate primaries to fill a competitive seat in the Chesapeake area, which opened after Republican Rep. Baxter Ennis announced his retirement. Republican Michael Lamonea and Democrat Karen Carnegie won their respective primaries for that seat.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Democrats squaring off in Virginia primaries say one name a lot: Trump
RICHMOND, Va. — Two Virginia Democrats are battling Tuesday to be their party's nominee for attorney general. Yet, the name mentioned most in their campaigns is not that of their opponent, but rather a man who lives just over the Arlington Memorial Bridge: President Donald Trump. The barrage of changes Trump has wrought to American culture in the first few months of his second White House residency has ignited the campaigns of Virginia Democrats Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor as they appeal unrelentingly to the most devout swaths of their base ahead of down-ballot primary elections. The primary will also determine the party's nominations this year for lieutenant governor and some contested seats in the House of Delegates. In one of only two states electing governors in November — the other is New Jersey — the caustic anti-Trump rhetoric could be a hint of what voters nationwide will hear from Democrats in next year's midterm elections, when the stakes will be higher. Virginia's nominees for governor have been settled by default. Democrat Abigail Spanberger became her party's nominee after running unopposed, and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears was the only contender who gathered enough signatures to be on the ballot. The other statewide races are for attorney general and lieutenant governor, and Democrats in both contests seem to be vying to top each other with anti-Trump rhetoric and caustic ads. Republicans are not hosting statewide primaries this year, so only Democrats will pick a nominee for lieutenant governor. It's a part-time position that pays about $36,000 a year but is often a stepping stone to higher office. Six Democrats want the job , and most of them have pushed ad after ad on the airwaves and online about their commitment to taking on Trump if elected to the mostly ceremonial role. In the contest for attorney general, Jones and Taylor are competing in much the same way. Turnout is likely to be sluggish, which means firing up base voters is widely seen as the way to go. The last time a left-wing candidate for governor ran unopposed, roughly 142,000 Democrats voted for an attorney general nominee compared with more than 485,000 this past election cycle. Still, the AG's race has been spicy, more so when the candidates' criticism isn't directed at each other. Jones and Taylor have lambasted the White House and argued that the administration's actions should be litigated in court. When they are not lamenting Trump, their attacks are directed toward incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is seeking reelection. In their respective campaigns, the Democrats argue that Miyares submits to the president by not suing him. They say that sets him apart from more progressive attorneys general across the United States, who are going to court over such things as birthright citizenship and elections . Their main message: A Democrat will take the White House to trial when Miyares won't — and saving democracy starts there. 'The job is to protect Virginians, to fight for them, to work for them, to keep us safe,' Jones said while campaigning in June in Falls Church, Virginia, adding, 'I don't understand why he is not going after them.' Last month, Taylor told a room full of Democratic voters that Miyares would enable Trump's overreaches in Virginia, and potentially double down on institutions that don't comply with the president. Either way, 'the result is the same for Virginians: getting hurt,' she said. In a wide-ranging interview in May, Miyares said he identifies as a balls-and-strikes Republican. The former Virginia Beach state delegate, elected top prosecutor in 2021, worked to reduce violent crime. He sought settlements from Big Pharma. When he felt President Joe Biden's administration overstepped, he went to court . But as Trump was ushered into office for a second term, Miyares entered new political terrain. Unlike most other states, Virginians will elect their attorney general this November, nearly a year after the country voted for the president and his consequential agenda. Miyares has waded into the political arena. He often spars on social media with progressive prosecutors throughout Virginia for being too lenient in prosecuting criminal cases. Still, Miyares rebuffed the notion that suing Trump is his top concern. He said the Democrats looking to replace him fail to understand the nature of his position. The attorney general touted meaningful work his office has shouldered: holding listening sessions for crime victims, designating resources to support law enforcement and beefing up his office's prosecutions of child support cases. He flashed his law enforcement badge, tucked within a leather wallet, and described the emblem as a guidepost for being an effective people's prosecutor. 'They seem very obsessed with Donald Trump, whereas I'm obsessed with how am I going to keep Virginians safe?' Miyares said. ___ Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Democrats squaring off in Virginia primaries say one name a lot: Trump
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Two Virginia Democrats are battling Tuesday to be their party's nominee for attorney general. Yet, the name mentioned most in their campaigns is not that of their opponent, but rather a man who lives just over the Arlington Memorial Bridge: President Donald Trump. The barrage of changes Trump has wrought to American culture in the first few months of his second White House residency has ignited the campaigns of Virginia Democrats Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor as they appeal unrelentingly to the most devout swaths of their base ahead of down-ballot primary elections. The primary will also determine the party's nominations this year for lieutenant governor and some contested seats in the House of Delegates. In one of only two states electing governors in November — the other is New Jersey — the caustic anti-Trump rhetoric could be a hint of what voters nationwide will hear from Democrats in next year's midterm elections, when the stakes will be higher. Virginia's nominees for governor have been settled by default. Democrat Abigail Spanberger became her party's nominee after running unopposed, and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears was the only contender who gathered enough signatures to be on the ballot. The other statewide races are for attorney general and lieutenant governor, and Democrats in both contests seem to be vying to top each other with anti-Trump rhetoric and caustic ads. Republicans are not hosting statewide primaries this year, so only Democrats will pick a nominee for lieutenant governor. It's a part-time position that pays about $36,000 a year but is often a stepping stone to higher office. Six Democrats want the job , and most of them have pushed ad after ad on the airwaves and online about their commitment to taking on Trump if elected to the mostly ceremonial role. In the contest for attorney general, Jones and Taylor are competing in much the same way. Turnout is likely to be sluggish, which means firing up base voters is widely seen as the way to go. The last time a left-wing candidate for governor ran unopposed, roughly 142,000 Democrats voted for an attorney general nominee compared with more than 485,000 this past election cycle. Still, the AG's race has been spicy, more so when the candidates' criticism isn't directed at each other. Jones and Taylor have lambasted the White House and argued that the administration's actions should be litigated in court. When they are not lamenting Trump, their attacks are directed toward incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is seeking reelection. In their respective campaigns, the Democrats argue that Miyares submits to the president by not suing him. They say that sets him apart from more progressive attorneys general across the United States, who are going to court over such things as birthright citizenship and elections . Their main message: A Democrat will take the White House to trial when Miyares won't — and saving democracy starts there. 'The job is to protect Virginians, to fight for them, to work for them, to keep us safe,' Jones said while campaigning in June in Falls Church, Virginia, adding, 'I don't understand why he is not going after them.' Last month, Taylor told a room full of Democratic voters that Miyares would enable Trump's overreaches in Virginia, and potentially double down on institutions that don't comply with the president. Either way, 'the result is the same for Virginians: getting hurt,' she said. In a wide-ranging interview in May, Miyares said he identifies as a balls-and-strikes Republican. The former Virginia Beach state delegate, elected top prosecutor in 2021, worked to reduce violent crime. He sought settlements from Big Pharma. When he felt President Joe Biden's administration overstepped, he went to court . But as Trump was ushered into office for a second term, Miyares entered new political terrain. Unlike most other states, Virginians will elect their attorney general this November, nearly a year after the country voted for the president and his consequential agenda. Miyares has waded into the political arena. He often spars on social media with progressive prosecutors throughout Virginia for being too lenient in prosecuting criminal cases. Still, Miyares rebuffed the notion that suing Trump is his top concern. He said the Democrats looking to replace him fail to understand the nature of his position. The attorney general touted meaningful work his office has shouldered: holding listening sessions for crime victims, designating resources to support law enforcement and beefing up his office's prosecutions of child support cases. He flashed his law enforcement badge, tucked within a leather wallet, and described the emblem as a guidepost for being an effective people's prosecutor. 'They seem very obsessed with Donald Trump, whereas I'm obsessed with how am I going to keep Virginians safe?' Miyares said. ___ Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
