Democratic AG hopefuls vow to fight feds

The state’s two Democratic candidates for attorney general say they are focused on — and frustrated by — incumbent Republican Jason Miyares‘ failure to respond to the wave of executive orders being issued by the Trump administration.

Shannon Taylor and Jay Jones will face off in a June 17 primary, with the winner opposing Miyares, who is seeking a second term in the general election on Nov. 4.

The two candidates recently spoke to Virginia Lawyers Weekly about what they see as the top issues for the next attorney general, the differences between them, and what they will bring to the office should they prevail.

Biographies

Jones is a former member of the House of Delegates. While in the General Assembly, he wrote legislation that became the “Ashanti Alert,” an alert system for adult missing persons.

He also served as an assistant attorney general in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia and was a member of the D.C. AG’s Office of Consumer Protection.

Jones’ father, Jerrauld C. Jones, served in all three branches of state government, capping his career as a circuit court judge. The elder Jones died on May 31 at age 70.

Taylor was named a special assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s office in 1999 and again from 2002 to 2004.

From 2004 to 2008, she was special counsel for the Richmond Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury.

Following a stint in private practice, Taylor was elected in 2011 as the commonwealth’s attorney for Henrico County, a position she currently holds following two reelections.

Big issues

Asked to identify the most important issue in the AG’s race, Jones said Virginians need someone who won’t stay silent while people’s rights are under attack.

Both also said many of Virginia’s interests are inextricably linked to the federal government, which means the Trump administration’s recent decisions and actions directly affect residents.

“The layoffs of federal workers — so many of whom live right here in Virginia — those aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; they are real people,” Jones said. “These are people’s livelihoods, they are neighbors, they are friends, they are our church members. I’ll fight back in court and speak out in public, and I’ll always put Virginians first.”

If elected, Taylor said she would focus on reviewing the impact of executive orders on the state and its residents. “And if we find that there is a negative impact, we should be challenging [the orders] to ensure that these executive orders, that these directives are lawful and constitutional.”

Jones and Taylor both criticized how Miyares has responded to Trump’s executive orders.

“It is very clear that Jason Miyares has turned the office into nothing more than a political tool,” said Jones, who added that he wants to refocus the state AG’s office on defending regular people, not just the powerful. Taylor had a similar take. Over the last 120 days, she said, Trump administration executive orders that affect Virginians have gone unchallenged, with no review for constitutionality or legality.

“When Virginians are getting hurt, we must be there to push back, file lawsuits, and do what we can to make folks whole, and certainly protect them from further harm,” Taylor said.

Leadership experience

Jones touted his experience and leadership as a state legislator and in the D.C.’s attorney general’s office as what sets him apart from Taylor and Miyares.

“This race is about leadership, and I have taken on the tough fights. As a legislator, we have passed laws that protect Virginians in a bipartisan way. I’ve worked in the AG’s office in Washington, D.C., and I know exactly what it takes to lead at this moment.”

Taylor said her leadership experience, including nearly 15 years as commonwealth’s attorney in Henrico, is a key factor that sets her apart from Jones and Miyares. Taylor also noted that she has defeated Republican challengers, has run in multiple contested elections, and has bipartisan support for her work, with governors from both parties asking her to serve on public safety and policy committees and task forces.

“When I say that I have done something, when I say that I have prosecuted this case, when I say I have developed this policy, I am the one who has actually done the work.  And I think it’s important for Virginians to know that when you’re talking about things that have been done or accomplished under your watch, then by golly, you should be able to say that you actively were engaged and did these things,” Taylor said.

The rise of AI

Asked for his take on the ethical and legal concerns surrounding the rising use of artificial intelligence, Jones said if elected AG, he’d seek to be part of policy and law shaping dialogue on the issue.

“It’s certainly something that is becoming more and more pervasive in everyone’s lives, and we want to make sure that it’s navigated in a responsible and thoughtful way,” Jones said. “And if we have a legislative issue — and I know that the General Assembly has taken some steps to study artificial intelligence and its impact on everyday Virginians and our lives — my hope is that if something comes through the General Assembly, we will have that attorney general’s perspective to enforce the laws that they put on the books.”

Taylor, meanwhile, said it is important to be prepared to move forward with evolving technology by implementing appropriate expectations, regulations and safeguards.

“We certainly want to be able to recognize these benefits that artificial intelligence brings to the business arena, but we also want to be able to respect that there should be safeguards in place for the protection of people,” Taylor said. “So, we want to make sure we have that parameters of regulatory system that does both: protects consumers, protects our citizens, as well as allow for proper business development.”