RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — In the race for attorney general, Republican Jason Miyares’ campaign ad against Democratic challenger Jay Jones, makes it clear how Miyares feels about Jones.
“Jay Jones is too soft to be attorney general,” Miyares’ ad states.
Miyares, the current attorney general, told 10 On Your Side in an interview: “He literally does not know what it is to be a prosecutor because he’s never been a prosecutor.”
Miyares campaign centers on “Jay Jones as soft on crime.”
The Miyares ad continues: “As a state delegate, Jay Jones passed a law that ended mandatory reporting of sexual battery in our schools.” (Source: National Review 10-14-21)
Truth Tracker finds it true that Jay Jones supported HB 257.
The ad continues: “Jay Jones passed laws to let criminals out early.” (Source: HB 1532, 2020 and HB 5148 in 2020)
Truth Tracker finds that true. Jay Jones was a patron of HB 1532.
10 On Your Side was with Jones at a get-out-the-vote rally at the Virginia Beach registrar’s office on the first day of early voting, asking, “Why did you make those votes?”
His response was a canned answer not pertinent to the question.
“I’m so proud of my time in the General Assembly on the work we did to keep our community safe,” Jones said.
The ad continued: “They called it the earned sentence. But what it meant is it meant you can get decades off your sentence.”
10 On Your Side asked Jones again: “Why did you think that was a good thing to do?”
His answer, again: “I’m so proud of my time in the General Assembly. We had a very successful four years.”
10 On Your Side then said, here’s the last crack at it, do you want to answer your support of either of those bills?
His answer? “I am so proud of my voting record in the General Assembly,” Jones said.
Jones did note one thing those ads don’t say.
“I voted to give law enforcement the largest funding increase in the history of the Commonwealth,” Jones said, “… supporting victims, cracking down on violent crime and getting guns off our streets, and protecting children”
10 On Your Side asked Jones: Is Donald Trump on the ballot?
“Donald Trump is on the ballot,” Jones said, replying immediately.
10 On Your Side asked the question to Miyares: Is Trump on the ballot?
Miyares’ immediate response: “No.”
Jones commercial brought up this issue: “When it comes to standing up to Trump, Jason Miyares is too weak.”
The commercial shows Miyares on stage in Chesapeake at a Trump rally.
“Where’s Jason, come here Jason,” Trump said.
Truth Tracker finds it true that the Jones campaign aligns Miyares with President Trump, hoping those opposed to Trump will take notice.
Jones commercial continues: “When Trump cut Virginia jobs and raised prices on everything, Miyares did nothing. When Trump cut working Virginia’s health care, Miyares could have taken him to court. … He followed orders [from Trump] and did nothing.”
When 10 On Your Side showed him the ad, Miyares immediately said: “That is not true, I sued this [Trump] administration over the Veterans Administration denying veterans education benefits.”
Truth Tracker finds it true Miyares has taken the Trump Administration to court over veterans’ education benefits.
The next commercial is one on abortion produced by Jones’ campaign.
Adelle, who is known to the campaign, and is a friend to the campaign said: “I never thought I’d need an abortion until I did, … but right now, Jason Miyares and MAGA extremists want to ban abortion in Virginia.”
Truth Tracker finds that false.
10 On Your Side asked Miyares about that.
“I do not support a total ban on abortion in Virginia, because I believe in exceptions,” Miyares said.
It is true that Jay Jones is the pro-choice candidate, and said the following at the end of the ad: “I’m Jay Jones. I am running for attorney general, and I’ll stop an abortion ban in Virginia, and that’s why I sponsored this ad.”
Jones told us during our interview: “People are very fearful of the attacks on abortions. This is the last southern state that allows a woman to make her own health care decisions.”
Meanwhile, Miyares supports the 15-week compromise offered by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, but rejected by the Democratically-controlled General Assembly.
“I support a ban after 15 weeks with the exception of rape, incest or threat to mother’s life,” Miyares said.
Said Jones: “People are worried about these elections in November. It is so clear and critical about the future of abortion here in Virginia, and I am here to protect that access, and not roll it back.”
The latest poll from Christopher Newport University has Jones ahead by seven points, but Miyares thinks the race is closer than that, and he could be in the lead. Also, Miyares has raised $13 million, and Jones $9 million.
Another Truth Tracker will air next Tuesday, Sept. 30.
