Virginia attorney general race questionnaire: Jay Jones

Jay Jones is one of three contenders hoping to become Virginia’s next attorney general. (Photo courtesy campaign)

Three contenders are aiming to become Virginia’s top prosecutor. The Mercury asked the attorney general hopefuls — incumbent Republican Jason Miyares and Democrats Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor — to answer a questionnaire to outline their legal experience and their positions on legislative policy that shapes citizens’ lives. On primary day, June 17, Taylor or Jones will win the chance to challenge Miyares on Election Day in November. Here are Democrat Jay Jones’ responses, which have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

What do you see as some unresolved or ongoing consumer protection concerns you would address in your role as attorney general?

Jones: The Attorney General should work for the people, not the wealthiest corporations in our state. I will always fight to hold special interests accountable, to encourage cleaner and more affordable energy practices, and to protect families from unfair utility costs. But my opponents can’t make that promise, because they are taking massive corporate campaign checks from Dominion.

As Assistant Attorney General in Washington, D.C., I was a member of the Office of Consumer Protection, where I fought gun manufacturers, financial institutions, and housing conglomerates to stand up for the rights of everyday citizens. As Attorney General, I’ll continue this fight and take on the corporate price gougers driving up costs for working families. That includes standing up to monopolies like Kroger and Albertsons whose proposed merger would raise grocery prices and hurt Virginia communities. 

I’ll expand the Consumer Protection Section to aggressively go after companies that break the law to make a buck — whether through collusion, predatory lending, or digital exploitation. I’ll prioritize enforcement that protects low-income and vulnerable Virginians. 

Data centers continue proliferating in Virginia, and state regulators have confirmed their energy demands will increase in the coming years. As AG, how would you help the state navigate this dynamic? Are there regulatory issues related to data centers that concern you or that you would like to alter?

Jones: We must always work to ensure a strong Virginia economy AND protecting local communities and maintaining their voice in developments that affect them. As Attorney General, I will always enforce the rules without giving large corporations an unfair leg up and make sure Virginians have their say in regulatory processes. I will particularly emphasize that Virginia’s clean energy development can be expanded without corporate interference preventing the growth of the clean energy we need, that creates good Virginia jobs that powers our economy.

What sets you most apart from your opponents?

Jones: I’ve served as a legislator, an Assistant Attorney General, and a lifelong public servant focused on fairness and justice. As an Assistant Attorney General, I fought to hold large corporations and gun manufacturers alike accountable, taking on a ghost gun manufacturer to get illegal guns off the streets and working to stop the Kroger-Albertson’s merger to prevent higher grocery prices. In the House of Delegates, I fought to expand abortion rights, expand Medicaid, raise teacher pay, and championed clean energy growth that creates good jobs and lower energy bills . I also helped pass Virginia’s red flag law to keep guns out of dangerous hands. I know how this office works—and how to deliver real results for Virginians. I bring both legal experience and a deep understanding of how to make policy work for people.

Finally, I know what it takes to lead at this moment. We need an Attorney General who won’t hesitate to take on Jason Miyares and Donald Trump. I’m ready to do that on day one.

What role do you think Virginia should or shouldn’t play in immigration, particularly with the Trump administration’s term overlapping with what could be your term?

Jones: Immigration enforcement is the job of the federal government.Local law enforcement already has a massive job keeping our communities safe from violent crime. There’s no question  our immigration system is broken and it’s unacceptable that Congress and the federal government refuses to fix it.

Attorney General Jason Miyares and Gov. Glenn Youngkin have credited Operation Ceasefire with helping to reduce violent crime in Virginia. How would you build on those efforts and/or what would you change about it?

Jones: I’ve fought for commonsense gun safety measures before—and I’ll do it again. While serving as an Assistant Attorney General in Washington, D.C., I worked to keep ghost guns off our streets—because no one should be able to assemble a deadly weapon with no background check and no serial number. As a delegate, I voted to expand background checks and supported red flag laws that allow intervention before it’s too late. That’s why I’m proud to have been recognized as a Gun Sense Candidate by Moms Demand Action, which reflects my commitment to protecting our communities. Meanwhile, we have an Attorney General who uses the office to fight against common sense gun safety measures that save lives. As AG, I’ll do what he won’t— crack down on illegal trafficking and work every day to reduce gun violence in Virginia.

Though attorneys general are not legislators, they can signal favor of work the General Assembly does. Are there specific types of legislation that your office would advocate in support of in the General Assembly?

Jones: As Attorney General I’ll take on price gouging, housing discrimination, and corporate abuse, while defending reproductive freedom and civil rights. Legislation that works towards those goals are those I would support.

Considering the investigations into admission practices at Thomas Jefferson High school in Northern Virginia, how would you approach balancing diversity initiatives with concerns about potential discrimination? 

Jones: As Attorney General, I will enforce the law fairly and make sure the rights of all Virginians are protected.

The Youngkin administration has supported policies requiring parental consent for changes to students’ names and pronouns. How do you reconcile these policies with transgender students’ rights to privacy and autonomy? Would you support expanding or limiting such policies?

Jones: I believe these are decisions that should be decided locally, and that neither politicians in Richmond nor Washington should be telling local communities and parents what to do.

What are your thoughts on a retail cannabis market in Virginia? What’s your response to the concerns of some residents and lawmakers that Virginia’s decriminalization of recreational cannabis use by adults without creating a state-authorized way to buy it perpetuates a legal limbo?

Jones: I support legalizing retail sales of cannabis—but it must be done responsibly. That means strong consumer protections, clear safety standards, and a regulatory structure that ensures all Virginians have a fair shot to participate in the industry. The gray market that’s popping up is a symptom of inaction. It’s time to bring clarity, fairness, and structure to this issue.