The race between Miyares and Jones is one of the top ones to watch in Virginia as the state elects a new governor, Lt. governor, and members of the House of Delegates.

Jones, a former delegate from the state’s 89th district and former Assistant Attorney General for Washington, D.C., narrowly beat Shannon Taylor 51.11 to her 48.9% in last month’s Democratic primary.

The 36-year-old is running on a platform headlined by his resistance to the Trump administration. His campaign said the administration is “waging an unprecedented assault on Virginia communities, jobs, and even civil rights.” He’s tried to associate Miyares with “un-American” Trump policies.

“But here in Virginia, MAGA extremist Attorney General Jason Miyares has put politics first and refused to join in the effort to defend against unconstitutional and un-American Trump policies,” his campaign said.

The RAGA called Jones the most “radical left” candidate ever nominated for Virginia attorney general in a statement last month after the primary.

“Jay is soft on crime, has called for ending cash bail, and even wants to remove School Resource Officers from Virginia schools,” they said. “Jay Jones will undo everything AG Miyares has done to lower Virginia’s crime rate. Not only is Jay Jones soft on crime, he’s light on experience. Jay Jones’ resume is simple: soft on crime legislative champion and less than a year working in the most liberal AG’s office in the country — the District of Columbia. Jay Jones wasn’t experienced enough to work in the AG’s office and isn’t qualified to be Virginia’s Attorney General.”

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, the RAGA chairman, said the organization is “all-in” on reelecting Miyares. “Jason has been a champion for public safety and made a difference in holding violent criminals accountable. Jason Miyares will maintain law and order in the Commonwealth, and RAGA looks forward to defending him in the general election,” he said.

The Democratic Attorneys General Association has criticized Miyares for not taking action when many Virginians were fired from their federal jobs.

“When AGs sued Trump over his illegal firings of millions of federal workers, MAGA Miyares did nothing to protect Virginians who were at risk,” DAGA communications director Carolyn Fiddler said in a statement Thursday. “Now, Virginia and its economy are paying for Miyares’ inaction. All Virginians, including the more than 300,000 federal employees in the Commonwealth, deserve an AG who will fight for them and defend Virginia’s economic interests. As Attorney General, Jay Jones will stand up to the Trump administration to protect Virginia jobs and families.” 

The race is expected to be very close. Miyares was elected in 2021 by less than one point, beating incumbent Democrat Mark Herring. He has called himself the “people’s protector” and has also prioritized bringing “justice to college sports,” helping initiate a lawsuit against the NCAA in 2024, arguing their NIL rules violated antitrust law and limited athletes’ opportunities.

He’s also touted the endorsement of 19 sheriffs across the state, who say he has helped them make the “tremendous progress Virginia’s law enforcement professionals have achieved over the last four years.”

WHO IS WINSOME EARLE-SEARS? MEET THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR VIRGINIA GOVERNOR

Miyares joins Winsome Earle-Sears and John Reid among GOP candidates hoping to keep the state’s top executive offices red. Earle-Sears is facing off against former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, and Reid against Virginia state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi.

Virginia is expected to be a bellwether for the 2026 midterm elections, which Democrats are hoping will flip the House in their favor.