From the Jay Jones for Attorney General campaign:
VIDEO: Del. Jay Jones Announces Historic Campaign for Attorney General
~ Grabs endorsements from over 30 General Assembly members on first day of campaign, Congresswoman Elaine Luria ~
Delegate Jay Jones (D-Norfolk) announced today that he will seek the Democratic nomination for Attorney General of Virginia in 2021.
Delegate Jones released a new video announcing his historic campaign to become Virginia’s first African American Attorney General entitled “Generations in the Making.”
“This decision is truly generations in the making,” said Delegate Jay Jones. “Five generations ago, my ancestors were freed from the shackles of slavery. Just two generations ago, my grandfather endured systematic racism and discrimination on his journey to becoming a pioneering black lawyer in Virginia. And in 1960 my father and my uncle were two of the first black students to attend an all-white elementary school in Norfolk, Virginia.”
“Today, I am announcing that I’m running for Attorney General of our great Commonwealth, not just because it is time for a new generation of leadership, but because it is time for a Commonwealth that embraces everyone and lifts everyone, no matter who you are, where you come from, or what you look like,” Delegate Jones added.
“I am fortunate to have Jay Jones represent me in the House of Delegates, and I am proud to endorse him for Attorney General,” said Congresswoman Elaine Luria. “Jay is the type of leader that lifts everyone up and leaves no one behind. During my first term in Congress, we have worked together to fight for the people of Hampton Roads, and I know Jay has the conviction, integrity and experience to fight for every Virginia family as our next Attorney General.”
“Jay represents a new generation of leadership in our Commonwealth that is committed to progressing our Commonwealth forward,” said Senator L. Louise Lucas. “As the first African American woman to serve as President Pro-tempore of the Virginia Senate, I could not be more honored to support Jay’s campaign to serve as Virginia’s first African American Attorney General.”
“Having spent three years in leadership at the Office of the Attorney General, I have seen first hand the qualities, skills, and abilities that are necessary to be an effective AG,” said Delegate Jeff Bourne. “Jay Jones has all of the tools that will be required when he is Attorney General. Virginia is at a crossroads. We need a new voice with new solutions to old problems that have plagued our Commonwealth for too long.”
“I have seen Jay’s leadership and effectiveness up close in the Virginia House of Delegates,” said Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg. “As a civics teacher, I know Jay’s statewide election would be not only historic but also vital to showing our young people that our Commonwealth is inclusive and open to everyone. Jay will make Virginia proud as our next Attorney General. We need new voices and a new generation of leaders to lift everyone up in our Commonwealth.”
Delegate Jones announced last week that he raised over $255,000 in the first financial reporting period of 2020. Since announcing that he was exploring a bid for Attorney General in 2021, Delegate Jones has received strong financial support from all across the Commonwealth and has more than $330,000 in cash on hand as of June 30, 2020.
Delegate Jay Jones was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017 representing the 89th District.
WATCH: “Generations in the Making”
Transcript:
Jay Jones: Hi folks, I’ve got some big news today.
I’ve spent the last few months thinking long and hard and speaking with folks from every corner of this Commonwealth. From Southwest Virginia, to NOVA and Central Virginia, to right here in Hampton Roads, about running for Attorney General.
The decision we’re making today is generations in the making. Five generations ago my ancestors were freed from the shackles of slavery. Just two generations ago my grandfather endured systematic racism and discrimination on his journey to becoming one of the few Black lawyers in Virginia. And in 1960 my father and my uncle were two of the first Black students to attend an all-white school in Norfolk, Virginia.
Clearly progress has come, but not quick enough. We’ve become more equitable, but not enough.
Even as a young Black man in today’s world, which my forebears had hoped would be one of equality, I cannot stand here and say that my experience has been markedly different than the generations before me. The hurt, the anguish, the pain remains all the same.
It is time for a Virginia that embraces everyone, lifts everyone, no matter who you are, where you come from or what you look like.
In the General Assembly I fought to expand access to healthcare by supporting Medicaid expansion. And as your next Attorney General, I’ll lead the fight against attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and take away access to affordable health insurance for Virginians who have pre-existing conditions.
We need an Attorney General who will fight for every single Virginian, who protects our consumers, stands up for all our rights, and who will lead us into the next decade by lifting everyone up.
So I am going to spend every day between now and Tuesday, November 2, 2021 working to earn your vote and telling you why I believe I’m the best candidate to usher in a new generation of action and leadership to the Attorney General’s office. Thank you so much.
Campaign Launch Endorsement List:
Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02)
Senator John Bell (Loudoun)
Senator Lynwood Lewis (Accomack)
Senator Mamie Locke, Chair, Senate Democratic Caucus (Hampton)
Senator L. Louise Lucas, Senate President Pro Tempore (Portsmouth)
Senator Monty Mason (Williamsburg)
Senator Joe Morrissey (Henrico)
Senator Lionell Spruill (Chesapeake)
Delegate Lashrecse Aird (Petersburg)
Delegate Alex Askew (Virginia Beach)
Delegate Lamont Bagby, Chairman, Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (Henrico)
Delegate Jeff Bourne (Richmond)
Delegate Josh Cole (Stafford)
Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler (Virginia Beach)
Delegate Nancy Guy (Virginia Beach)
Delegate Cliff Hayes (Chesapeake)
Delegate Steve Heretick (Portsmouth)
Delegate Patrick Hope (Arlington)
Delegate Chris Hurst (Blacksburg)
Delegate Clinton Jenkins (Suffolk)
Delegate Mark Keam (Fairfax)
Delegate Paul Krizek (Alexandria)
Delegate Joe Lindsey (Norfolk)
Delegate Martha Mugler (Hampton)
Delegate Mike Mullin (Newport News)
Delegate Cia Price (Newport News)
Delegate David Reid (Loudoun)
Delegate Ibraheem Samirah (Fairfax)
Delegate Don Scott (Portsmouth)
Delegate Marcus Simon (Fairfax)
Delegate Shelly Simonds (Newport News)
Delegate Luke Torian (Prince William)
Delegate Roslyn Tyler (Sussex)
Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg (Henrico)
Former Delegate Ward Armstrong, Former House Democratic Minority Leader (Martinsville)
Former Delegate Dick Cranwell, Former House Democratic Majority and Minority Leader (Vinton)
Former Delegate Debra Rodman (Henrico)
Former Delegate David Toscano, Former House Democratic Minority Leader (Charlottesville)
Joe Baron, Sheriff (Norfolk)
John Chapman, Councilman (Alexandria)
Courtney Doyle, Councilwoman (Norfolk)
Franklin Edmondson, Commissioner of the Revenue (Portsmouth)
Paul Fraim, Former Mayor (Norfolk)
James Gray, Vice Mayor (Hampton)
Daun Hester, Treasurer, Former Vice Mayor, and Former Delegate (Norfolk)
Mamie Johnson, Councilwoman (Norfolk)
Michael Jones, Councilman (Richmond)
Phil Kellam, Commissioner of the Revenue (Virginia Beach)
Sherman P. Lea, Sr., Mayor (Roanoke)
Stephanie Lynch, Councilwoman (Richmond)
Ross Mugler, Commissioner of the Revenue (Hampton)
Evans Poston, Commissioner of the Revenue (Norfolk)
Andy Protogyrou, Former Councilman (Norfolk)
Paul Riddick, Councilman (Norfolk)
George Schaefer, Clerk of Circuit Court (Norfolk)
Martin Thomas, Jr., Vice Mayor (Norfolk)
Angelia Williams Graves, Councilwoman (Norfolk)
Sandra Brandt, Community Leader (Virginia Beach)
Sherman P. Lea, Jr., Community Leader (Roanoke)
Missy Cotter Smasal, Community Leader (Virginia Beach)
Charlie Stanton, Community Leader (Norfolk)
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