Jay Jones is projected to be the next Virginia attorney general, defeating the incumbent, Republican Jason Miyares, according to several news outlets.
“I want to thank every Virginian tonight who placed their trust in me,” Jones told supporters in Richmond, Virginia, reported The Washington Post. “The weight of that trust is not lost on me at all.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger is also projected to win and be Virginia’s next governor and Democrat Ghazala Hashmi is projected to be lieutenant governor.
Jones had spent the majority of the race leading significantly until scandal struck, and Miyares jumped ahead and had mostly been leading since.
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The skeletons in Jones’ closet came to light the first week of October. First, the Richmond Times-Dispatch broke the story that after Jones received a reckless driving ticket for going 116 mph on an interstate in New Kent, Virginia, he avoided jail time, unlike other drivers facing similar offenses, by agreeing to community service. However, he allegedly misled the court by providing documents proving he served those community service hours only the time he spent volunteering was actually for his own political action committee.
Days later, threatening and violent text messages from Jones to a Virginia Republican surfaced, reported by National Review. In the texts, Jones fantasized about killing then-Virginia Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert and his family, Jones saying he should receive “two bullets to the head.” Jones doubled down, adding that he wished to see Gilbert’s children die in their mother’s arms.
Republicans were quick to call for him to step out of the race, Miyares suggesting Jones “wouldn’t even pass a background check” for the job during their debate earlier this month.
Jones apologized for the texts during a debate, saying, “I’m ashamed, I’m embarrassed and I’m sorry,” according to Politico.
The chilling revelation sent Jones’ poll numbers plummeting, making the race competitive.
Miyares has served as Virginia’s attorney general since 2022. He campaigned by championing his victories, including fighting against corporate pharmaceutical companies securing over $1 billion in opioid settlements which he returned to Virginians to fight the addiction epidemic. He has also been a defender of Title IX violations and a protector of parental rights in schools.
Jones spent his campaign criticizing Miyares for his cooperation with the federal government and promised to “Protect Virginia from the Trump Administration.” He has vowed to allow Virginia to be an abortion state, a view he shares with Democrat Abigail Spanberger. Jones has also emphasized that he will ensure Virginians receive a fair and just trial.
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