The question on many minds — who won the attorney general in Virginia — has finally been answered. Democrat Jay Jones secured a decisive victory over incumbent Republican Jason Miyares in the November 4, 2025, Virginia Attorney General election. This result marks a significant political shift in the Commonwealth, returning the state’s top legal office to Democratic control and setting the stage for new policy priorities under Jones’s leadership.
Virginia Attorney General Election 2025 – The Final Results
After a tightly contested campaign that captured both state and national attention, Jay Jones emerged with approximately 52.7% of the vote, while Jason Miyares trailed with around 46.9%. Jones’s victory follows a strong Democratic showing across Virginia in the 2025 elections, reflecting renewed energy within the party and growing voter alignment around progressive issues.
Miyares, who had served as Attorney General since 2022, conceded late Tuesday night after updated vote totals confirmed his defeat. The outcome not only ended Miyares’s tenure but also reaffirmed Virginia’s status as a competitive, dynamic political landscape.
Who is Jay Jones?
Jay Jones, a Norfolk native and former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, has long been viewed as a rising star within the Democratic Party. The 37-year-old attorney built his campaign around themes of justice reform, consumer protection, and defending individual rights.
Before this statewide win, Jones represented Virginia’s 89th House District from 2018 to 2021, where he was known for advocating fairness in criminal sentencing and equitable access to healthcare. His legal background and emphasis on accountability resonated with voters who sought a more proactive approach from the Attorney General’s office.
Jones also made history as the first Black Attorney General in Virginia’s history, a milestone that adds symbolic significance to his victory and reflects the state’s evolving political diversity.
Jason Miyares: The Incumbent’s Legacy and Challenges
Jason Miyares, the Republican incumbent, made history himself in 2021 as the first Latino elected statewide in Virginia. During his tenure, he emphasized law enforcement support, parental rights, and public safety, earning praise from conservatives for his strong stance on crime.
However, Miyares faced mounting challenges in 2025. His close alignment with national Republican figures and policies tied to the Trump administration may have alienated centrist and independent voters in Virginia’s suburbs. Additionally, issues such as reproductive rights, education policies, and civil liberties played a decisive role in mobilizing Democratic turnout.
Despite a vigorous campaign, Miyares’s message did not gain sufficient traction to overcome the wave of voter enthusiasm favoring Democrats in the state’s off-year election.
Key Issues That Defined the Race
Several pressing issues shaped the 2025 Virginia Attorney General race and influenced the outcome:
- Abortion Rights: Following ongoing national debates over reproductive freedoms, Jones positioned himself as a strong defender of abortion access, while Miyares supported restrictions aligned with conservative values.
- Gun Control and Public Safety: Jones advocated for stronger background checks and community-based safety initiatives, contrasting Miyares’s focus on law enforcement empowerment and Second Amendment protections.
- Consumer Protection: Jones promised to expand oversight on predatory lending and data privacy, highlighting economic fairness as a key campaign pillar.
- Voting Rights and Civil Liberties: With heightened attention on voter access nationwide, Jones emphasized protecting democratic participation, while Miyares promoted election integrity measures that critics labeled restrictive.
The contrast between the two candidates’ visions gave Virginians a clear choice about the future direction of the Attorney General’s office — and the electorate decisively chose change.
Election Dynamics and Voter Turnout
Turnout in the 2025 Virginia election was notably strong for an off-year cycle. Urban and suburban areas, especially in Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads region, showed overwhelming support for Jones. Meanwhile, rural counties largely favored Miyares but were unable to offset the Democratic advantage in population centers.
Voter demographics played a crucial role:
- Young voters leaned heavily toward Jones, motivated by social justice and environmental priorities.
- Women voters turned out in higher numbers, largely backing the Democratic candidate over reproductive rights concerns.
- Black and Latino communities also provided a strong base of support, reinforcing Jones’s message of inclusion and equity.
These patterns mirror broader national trends showing Democratic gains among diverse and younger voter groups.
What Jay Jones’s Victory Means for Virginia
Jay Jones’s election as Attorney General is expected to bring a shift in the state’s legal and political focus. His platform outlined several immediate priorities for his administration:
- Strengthening Civil Rights Enforcement: Expanding protections against discrimination and bias in housing, education, and employment.
- Consumer Protection and Economic Fairness: Cracking down on fraudulent business practices, corporate misconduct, and unfair lending.
- Climate and Environmental Action: Increasing accountability for companies that pollute and prioritizing sustainable development initiatives.
- Reproductive and Healthcare Rights: Defending access to reproductive care and opposing any attempts to restrict healthcare coverage.
- Transparency and Accountability: Promising to review policing practices and increase transparency within the state’s justice system.
The transition will officially take place in early 2026, when Jones will be sworn in as the Commonwealth’s top legal officer.
Political Implications Beyond Virginia
The result of who won the attorney general in Virginia extends beyond state borders. Analysts view Jones’s win as a bellwether for how Democrats may perform in upcoming national elections. Virginia, often seen as a microcosm of the nation’s political shifts, has now reaffirmed its tendency to lean blue in statewide contests.
For Republicans, Miyares’s loss highlights the challenges of appealing to moderate voters while maintaining conservative enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Democrats are likely to see this as validation of their policy agenda and campaign strategies heading into the 2026 midterm cycle.
Public Reaction and Transition Ahead
Reactions across Virginia were swift. Supporters celebrated the election as a victory for justice, representation, and progress, while opponents expressed concern about the direction the Attorney General’s office might take under Democratic leadership.
Jay Jones’s campaign has already begun organizing a transition team to prepare for assuming office. His priorities will include appointing key legal advisors, reviewing ongoing cases, and establishing his long-term policy framework.
Closing Statement
Jay Jones’s victory as Virginia’s next Attorney General marks a historic moment for the Commonwealth — one that blends progress, representation, and renewed trust in public institutions. Share your thoughts on this election and stay tuned for how Virginia’s legal future unfolds.