Eight weeks after Virginia Republicans launched the “Soft Jay Jones” campaign attacking the Democratic nominee for attorney general, Jones issued the “Weak Jason Miyares” campaign.

The new website from the Jones campaign paints Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is running for reelection, as “too weak” to stand up to President Donald Trump.

“He’s caved to Trump on Healthcare and job cuts, raised prices, and abortion bans,” the website reads. “Donald Trump does not need another Attorney. Virginia needs a new Attorney General.”

This is the lone statewide race featuring two Hampton Roads candidates. Jones was born and raised in Norfolk while Miyares was raised in Virginia Beach. Both previously represented their respective cities in the House of Delegates.

Attorney General Jason Miyares

The Jones campaign criticizes Miyares for not joining Democratic attorneys general when they filed lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s cuts to federal funding and personnel across several government agencies.

Miyares did sue the Trump administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs last month, asking a federal appeals court to force the VA to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that guarantees veterans full education benefits.

Jones also attacks Miyares for his long-held stance of being anti-abortion.

The Jones campaign released the website this week along with a new ad. The Miyares campaign also published a new ad this week.

Alex Cofield, press secretary for Miyares’ campaign, said: “Soft Jay Jones has finally given up on his phony law and order pitch to voters, returning to his roots of using the Office of the Attorney General as a sword to play politics and fight political enemies, not a shield for public safety to protect Virginians.

“Voters overwhelmingly value public safety — something Soft Jay Jones not only won’t provide but hasn’t — ever.”

The “Weak Jason Miyares” push comes nearly two months after Miyares and the state GOP began their “Soft Jay Jones” campaign that paints Jones as a far-left criminal sympathizer.

Virginia Republicans have repeatedly focused on Jones’ voting record as a delegate from 2018-21.

The “Soft Jay Jones” campaign highlights bills that Jones voted against, including legislation to impose mandatory minimum jail sentences for convicted repeat domestic abusers and legislation that made it aggravated sexual battery for a massage therapist to sexually assault someone.

The Jones campaign has not specifically addressed his votes on these bills. Jones said last month that his stances on crime and incarceration have not changed since he was in the General Assembly.

https://www.dailypress.com/2025/09/05/jay-jones-jason-miyares-campaign-counter/