by Brandon Jarvis
Everyone in Virginia politics has been expecting Fairfax Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano to seek the Democratic nomination to run for attorney general next year, but today, he announced that he will not be running and is instead endorsing someone else for the nomination.
Descano announced this morning that he will be endorsing Jay Jones for the Democratic nomination for attorney general.
Jay Jones is the leader we need — to defend our fundamental rights, keep Virginians safe, and move us forward.
— Steve Descano (@SteveDescano) May 6, 2024
Join me in supporting him: https://t.co/5u7yNeHbU8 pic.twitter.com/7zN4WZX4SH
“The stakes in this race couldn’t be higher,” Descano said in a statement Monday morning. “Attorney General Jason Miyares has used his office to advance an extreme, MAGA agenda that threatens the safety of all Virginians. Through his time in the General Assembly and as an attorney, Jay has been an advocate for abortion rights, gun safety, and other policies that defend justice and safety, and I know we can count on Jay to defend our most fundamental rights and move us forward.”
Jones has not officially announced his candidacy, but sources close to him say he will be running.
He ran for the Democratic nomination in 2021 and lost to two-term incumbent Mark Herring by 13 points. This time, however, he is the frontrunner, with a large coalition of Democrats supporting him, including former Gov. Ralph Northam, who is co-chairing the Virginians for Jay Jones PAC.
“I’ve said it before, I will say it again today, Jay Jones is the right Democrat to serve as Virginia’s next Attorney General,” Northam said when the PAC launched in January.
Northam also endorsed Jones during the 2021 primary campaign.
Henrico Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor is expected to enter the race for the Democratic nomination, but she will face an uphill battle against Jones, who has already secured a long list of supporters, including state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, who is a co-chair of Virginians for Jay Jones.
“The overwhelming support from leaders across the Commonwealth makes clear that Jay Jones will be an Attorney General who can bring Virginians together, put an end to Jason Miryares’ MAGA extremism, and advance justice and equality for all,” VanValkenburg said Monday.
Jones served four years representing Norfolk in the House of Delegates before stepping down in 2021 to be able to spend more time at home with his wife, who was expecting their first child.
