The Virginia Attorney General’s (AG) race is well underway, and as election day nears, there is one obvious choice for AG.
Since 2022, Republican Jason Miyares has served as Virginia’s AG and is up for reelection against Democrat Jay Jones. Miyares produced positive results for his voters and delivered on his agenda, thus making him deserving of reelection.
Miyares received over 100 million dollars in opioid-related settlements from pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. These funds are earmarked for opioid treatment, recovery, education and prevention across the Commonwealth. This is only a small piece of the over 1.1 billion dollars total Miyares has settled for Virginia during his tenure. After election in 2022, Miyares launched “Operation Ceasefire,” an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime by targeting gang-related violence and repeat offenders. Crime dropped in 12 of 13 cities the initiative targeted, and violent crime dropped 11% across the Commonwealth in general. The program also drove a 30% reduction in murders.
These initiatives and their successes illustrate Miyares’s commitment and allegiance to the Commonwealth. Time and time again, politicians fail to deliver to their constituents and voters. However, Miyares has proven his competency as AG and should hold office to capitalize on past successes, growing Virginia’s revenue and safeguarding citizens in the process. Sending Jones to Richmond could jeopardize the safety of the Commonwealth and inhabitants; Virginia cannot afford to elect another soft-on-crime Democrat AG.
From 2002 to 2014, while Republicans held the office of AG, Virginia experienced a 33% decrease in violent crime. In contrast, during Democrat Mark Herring’s tenure as AG from 2014 to 2022, the number of violent crimes in the state increased by 25%, with a 10% increase prior to the pandemic.
But a simple notion based on past statistics is not the only thing that disqualifies Jones.
A whistleblower uncovered a text chain with violent threats and comments from Jones directed at former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert. Additionally, in early 2022, Jones was convicted of reckless driving, posting 116mph in a 60mph zone. Jones avoided jail time but served 1,000 hours in community service.
It is irrational to send an AG to office who lacks respect for law and order to preside over law and order. Virginia will be better off electing a clean-cut and proven AG, one that respects the law and appropriately upholds the standards and behavior of an elected official.
The choice is simple, but building a safer, healthier and more prosperous Virginia ultimately lies in the hands of the voter.
Vote Jason Miyares for Attorney General of Virginia.
