Jay Jones will face Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares in November as Virginia’s high-stakes election sets the stage for 2026 midterms.

Democrats Choose Jay Jones to Challenge Miyares

Former Virginia state Delegate Jay Jones has emerged as the Democratic nominee for attorney general, setting up a high-profile showdown against incumbent Republican Jason Miyares in November. The Associated Press projects Jones as the primary winner, following a campaign that focused on defending Virginia against what he describes as President Donald Trump’s "unprecedented assault" on the state’s communities, jobs, and civil rights.

Miyares, elected in 2021 alongside Governor Glenn Youngkin and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, has championed Trump’s agenda in Virginia, while Democrats nationwide have mounted legal challenges to executive authority. Miyares made history as the first Hispanic American to win statewide office in Virginia and as the first child of an immigrant to serve as attorney general.

The Democratic primary featured a competitive race between Jones and Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor. Both contenders aimed to galvanize voters angered by federal job cuts under the Trump administration and its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Jones positioned his campaign on protecting Virginia from federal overreach, pledging to defend civil rights, promote public safety, lower costs, and safeguard abortion rights.

Virginia Race Seen as National Bellwether

Taylor’s campaign, which focused on similar progressive themes, notably aired ads depicting Trump buying a Tesla at the White House and Elon Musk with a chainsaw at CPAC. "I'm running for Attorney General to beat back Trump and Musk," Taylor declared. Ultimately, Jones prevailed in a primary shaped by national issues and voter concern over federal policy impacts.

This November’s attorney general race is widely regarded as a bellwether for the 2026 midterms, providing early insight into public sentiment during Trump’s second term. Political observers see the contest as a critical indicator for next year’s battle for congressional control. Virginia, alongside New Jersey, is holding gubernatorial elections this year, adding to the stakes for both parties.

Republicans, who broke a 12-year Democratic winning streak in Virginia’s statewide races four years ago, now look to hold their ground despite historical trends. The GOP has not won Virginia in a presidential election since 2004 and faces a challenging landscape in November, as the party holding the White House has rarely won the commonwealth’s governor’s race since 1977.

As the campaign season intensifies, the Jones-Miyares contest will be closely watched for its implications on civil rights, executive authority, and the broader direction of Virginia and national politics.