Who is Jay Jones, Virginia’s first Black Attorney General who defeated Jason Miyares and what is his net worth
Democrat Jay Jones has been elected as Virginia's first Black attorney general, unseating Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in a closely watched race for Virginia Attorney General. Here's more about his background and family.
Democrat Jay Jones has unseated Republican Jason Miyares in a closely watched race for Virginia Attorney General on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, during the US general election. A descendant of slaves, Jay Jones will become the first Black attorney general in the former capital of the Confederacy, reported the Associated Press.
The contest drew national attention after violent text messages sent by Jay Jones, in which, years ago, he threatened “two bullets to the head” of a political rival, became public. Jones apologised for the private messages both in statements and at a debate in October, reported Associated Press. Jay Jones is a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing a district around Norfolk for two terms, as reported by the AP.
Virginia Attorney General election results 2025
Virginia's election official website showed 52.9% vote for 36-year-old Jay Jones, compared to 47.1% for Jason Miyares. “At the end of the day, this election has never been about me or my opponent,” Jones said at a campaign party. “It has always been about every single one of us and the future of Virginia,” he said, reported AP.
Jay Jones' victory speech as Attorney General-elect
In a powerful and emotional victory speech, Jay Jones celebrated his election as Virginia's next Attorney General. Jay Jones reflected on his family’s legacy and pledged to fight for all Virginians, reported Fox News.
He said, “My ancestors were slaves. My grandfather was a civil rights pioneer who braved Jim Crow. My father, my mother, my uncles, my aunts endured segregation all so that I could stand here before you today. My father was one of the first to integrate classrooms in Norfolk, Virginia. Even as the Attorney General of Virginia tried to shut those same schools down, I know that I walk in the footsteps of those generations before me who fought and bled to guarantee the freedoms that we have in this democracy right now.”
Jay Jones thanked his wife, Mavis Jones, and their two sons, calling her “my rock” and saying, “I would not be standing here tonight without her.”
“Virginia belongs to the people,” he declared. “Together we stand firm against the people who would take us backward.”
Watch Jay Jones' full speech here:
Who is Jay Jones?
Jerrauld Charles Corey “Jay” Jones, born on 14 March 14 1989, is an American politician and former Assistant Attorney General. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the Virginia House of Delegates for the 89th district from 2018 to 2022. A lifelong resident of Norfolk, “Jay’s call to public service was generations in the making”, according to his official website. He attended the College of William and Mary for his undergraduate studies and the University of Virginia for law school.
Who are Jay Jones's wife and children?
Jay Jones is married to Mavis Baah, and they have two sons, Charles and Zachary. They met in 2017 and married in September 2020, and live in Norfolk, Virginia.
Jay Jones's grandparents and parents
As a descendant of slaves, Jay’s family has lived in Norfolk since the early 20th century. His grandfather, Hilary H Jones, Sr, was a pioneering civil rights attorney and became the first Black member of the Norfolk School Board. In 1969, he was appointed to the State Board of Education, the first Black person to serve on the board in Virginia's history, according to Jay Jones's website.
He comes from a family of Hampton Roads politicians and civil rights pioneers, reported AP. His father, Jerrauld C Jones, was one of the few Virginians to serve in all three branches of state government. He was a member of the General Assembly from 1988 – 2002, served as Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice under Governor Mark Warner and was a Circuit Court judge. His mother, Lyn Simmons, currently serves as a judge on the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, following a long career as a prosecutor and attorney in private practice, according to his website.
“My father, my mother, my uncles, my aunts endured segregation, all so that I could stand here before you today,” Jay Jones said, reported AP.
How did Jay Jones build his campaign?
Jay Jones built his campaign around a progressive agenda focused on public safety, consumer protection and resistance to national policies linked to US President Donald Trump. He positioned himself as a local counterweight to conservative leadership and declared during the campaign, “I will see Jason Miyares and Donald Trump in court as your next attorney general,” reported Economic Times.
Jay Jones campaigned against the impact of federal encroachment on Virginia since Trump took office in January, including shrinking the civil service, levying tariffs and passing a Republican federal tax cut bill that Democrats argued imperiled the state’s health care system, according to AP.
What is Jay Jones's net worth
Jay Jones has not publicly disclosed a detailed net worth.
Virginia House of Delegates election results 2025
All 100 seats in Virginia’s House of Delegates were on the ballot Tuesday, 4 November, in a high-stakes election that could reshape the state's political future. The contest took on added significance after Democrats unveiled a surprise plan to redraw Virginia's congressional map, the latest move in the intensifying national redistricting battle. The success of this plan hinges on the party maintaining or expanding its 51-48 majority, with one seat currently vacant in the lower chamber, reported The Washington Post.