2021 Virginia Attorney General election

The 2021 Virginia attorney general election was held on November 2, 2021, to elect the next attorney general of Virginia. Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring attempted to win a third term. Herring initially planned to run for governor, but decided to run for re-election. Herring faced Republican nominee Jason Miyares in the general election. Herring conceded defeat at 5:02 PM EST the following day, November 3.[1] Miyares became the first Cuban-American and Hispanic to be elected to statewide office in Virginia. Miyares was later sworn in on January 15, 2022.

2021 Virginia attorney general election

← 2017 November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02) 2025 →
 
Nominee Jason Miyares Mark Herring
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,647,100 1,620,564
Percentage 50.4% 49.6%

Miyares:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Herring:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      50%      No data

Attorney General before election

Mark Herring
Democratic

Elected Attorney General

Jason Miyares
Republican

Democratic primary

edit

Candidates

edit

Nominee

edit

Eliminated in primary

edit

Declined

edit

Endorsements

edit
Mark Herring
Federal officials
State senators
State delegates
Local officials
Organizations
Unions
  • Virginia Professional Fire Fighters[13]
Jay Jones
Federal officials
Governors
State senators
State delegates
Former delegates
Local officials
Individuals
Organizations

Debates

edit

Mark Herring and Jay Jones agreed to one debate. The debate started off with Mark Herring started off talking about his record and saying what he has done about certain cases vs what Jones was doing at the time. Jay Jones started off talking about his endorsement from Governor at the time, Ralph Northam, and claiming Herring's past didn't matter for what was happening in the present.

2021 Virginia Democratic Primary for Attorney General
No. Date Host Link Participants
Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   W  Withdrawn
Jay Jones Mark Herring*
1 May 15, 2021 WTVR CBS 6 [19] P P

Issues Herring and Jones agreed on almost every issue asked to them. When the rebuttals came though, Herring would often claim that Jones didn’t support something when he was on the legislature and Jones would point to an example where they agreed on it in the past. When Jones rebutted Herring, Jones claimed that Herring didn’t begin on the issue until it was in the political atmosphere.

Here are a couple examples below.

Support Prosecuting Price Gougers (relating to the issue of Colonial Pipeline hacking)
Herring Jones
Supports Supports
Defend the VEC that didn’t pay benefits to Virginians
Herring Jones
Opposes Opposes

Polling

edit
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[a]
Margin
of error
Mark
Herring
Jay
Jones
Other Undecided
Roanoke College May 24 – June 1, 2021 637 (LV) ± 3.9% 49% 20% 31%
Christopher Newport University April 11–20, 2021 806 (LV) ± 3.9% 42% 18% 1% 39%

Results

edit
 
Results by county and independent city:
  Herring
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
  Jones
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
Democratic primary results[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark Herring (incumbent) 274,736 56.63
Democratic Jay Jones 210,365 43.37
Total votes 485,101 100.00

Republican convention

edit

Candidates

edit

Nominated at convention

edit

Defeated at convention

edit

Declined

edit

Results

edit
 
The round-by-round results of the ranked-choice voting election
Virginia GOP Convention, Attorney General Nominee [26]
Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Round 3
Votes % Votes % Votes %
Jason Miyares 4,590 36.6% 5,297 42.2% 6,490 51.7%
Chuck Smith 4,324 34.4% 4,975 39.6% 6,064 48.3%
Jack White 1,872 14.9% 2,282 18.2% Eliminated
Leslie Haley 1,768 14.1% Eliminated

General election

edit

Endorsements

edit
Mark Herring (D)
Federal officials
State senators
State delegates
Local officials
Organizations
Unions
  • Virginia Professional Fire Fighters[31]
Jason Miyares (R)
Governors
Federal officials
State senators
State delegates
Organizations

General election Debates

edit

Mark Herring and Jason Miyares agreed to one debate. It was a town hall like event where people could ask questions about important issues.

2021 Virginia Attorney General
No. Date Host Link Participants
Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   W  Withdrawn
Jason Miyares Mark Herring*
1 October 13, 2021 Loudoun Chamber [40] P P
Most important issue
Miyares Herring
Public Safety Protecting Others
Agree on importance of a diverse office
Miyares Herring
Support Support
Position on taking down controversial statues of Confederate leaders[41][42][43]
Miyares Herring
Oppose Support

Polling

edit
Graphical summary
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[a]
Margin
of error
Mark
Herring (D)
Jason
Miyares (R)
Other Undecided
The Trafalgar Group (R) October 29–31, 2021 1,081 (LV) ± 3.0% 47% 50% 1% 2%
Echelon Insights (R) Archived 2021-10-29 at the Wayback Machine October 27–29, 2021 611 (LV) ± 4.0% 47% 48% 5%
Roanoke College October 14–28, 2021 571 (LV) ± 4.7% 46% 45% 0% 9%
Washington Post/Schar School October 20–26, 2021 1,107 (RV) ± 3.5% 48% 43% 3%[b] 6%
918 (LV) ± 4.0% 50% 44% 1%[c] 4%
Christopher Newport University October 17–25, 2021 944 (LV) ± 3.5% 48% 47% 5%
Suffolk University October 21–24, 2021 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 48% 45% 7%
Emerson College October 22–23, 2021 875 (LV) ± 3.2% 47% 44% 1% 7%
co/efficient (R)[A] October 20–21, 2021 785 (LV) ± 3.5% 45% 46% 8%
Cygnal (R) October 19–21, 2021 816 (LV) ± 3.4% 48% 47% 6%
Virginia Commonwealth University October 9–21, 2021 722 (LV) ± 6.4% 39% 35% 14% 12%
Christopher Newport University September 27 – October 6, 2021 802 (LV) ± 4.2% 49% 43% 7%
Emerson College October 1–3, 2021 620 (LV) ± 3.9% 46% 44% 1% 10%
Roanoke College September 12–26, 2021 603 (LV) ± 4.6% 47% 37% 0% 16%
KAConsulting LLC (R)[B] September 17–19, 2021 700 (LV) ± 3.7% 43% 27% 1% 30%
Virginia Commonwealth University September 7–15, 2021 731 (LV) ± 6.9% 39% 33% 14% 14%
Emerson College September 13–14, 2021 778 (LV) ± 3.4% 47% 41% 2% 11%
University of Mary Washington September 7–13, 2021 1,000 (A) ± 3.1% 40% 37% 6%[d] 17%
528 (LV) ± 4.1% 42% 46% 2%[e] 10%
The Trafalgar Group (R) August 26–29, 2021 1,068 (LV) ± 3.0% 43% 45% 13%
Monmouth University August 24–29, 2021 802 (RV) ± 3.5% 45% 43% 1% 11%
Christopher Newport University August 15–23, 2021 800 (LV) ± 3.6% 53% 41% 0% 6%
Roanoke College August 3–17, 2021 558 (LV) ± 4.2% 45% 37% 1% 17%
Virginia Commonwealth University August 4–15, 2021 770 (RV) ± 5.4% 40% 30% 20% 10%
~747 (LV) ± 5.5% 41% 30% 19% 10%
JMC Analytics and Polling (R) June 9–12, 2021 550 (LV) ± 4.2% 45% 38% 17%

Results

edit
Virginia Attorney General election, 2021[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason Miyares 1,647,100 50.36% +3.80%
Democratic Mark Herring (incumbent) 1,620,564 49.55% −3.79%
Write-in 2,995 0.09% -0.01%
Total votes 3,270,659 100.00% N/A
Republican gain from Democratic

By congressional district

edit

Miyares won 6 of 11 congressional districts, including two that were represented by Democrats.[45]

District Herring Miyares Representative
1st 41% 59% Rob Wittman
2nd 46% 54% Elaine Luria
3rd 63% 37% Bobby Scott
4th 57% 43% Donald McEachin
5th 41% 59% Bob Good
6th 34% 65% Ben Cline
7th 45% 55% Abigail Spanberger
8th 73% 27% Don Beyer
9th 26% 74% Morgan Griffith
10th 53% 47% Jennifer Wexton
11th 68% 32% Gerry Connolly

See also

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ a b Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ^ Neither with 2%, Would not vote with 1%, Other with 0%
  3. ^ Neither with 1%, Other and Would not vote with 0%
  4. ^ None/Would not vote with 4%, other candidate with 2%
  5. ^ Other candidate with 2%, None/Would not vote with 0%
Partisan clients
  1. ^ This poll was sponsored by Winsome Sears's campaign for Lieutenant Governor
  2. ^ This poll was sponsored by the Presidential Coalition

References

edit
  1. ^ Mark Herring [@MarkHerringVA] (November 3, 2021). "My Statement on Virginia's 2021 Election Result" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "Virginia AG Mark Herring plans to run for reelection, scraps bid for governor". September 2, 2020. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq "Del. Jay Jones receives additional endorsements for Attorney General campaign". WTKR. December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  4. ^ Eason, Hannah (December 6, 2020). "Henrico commonwealth's attorney announces she will not run for attorney general". WWBT. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h LEONOR, MEL; CAIN, ANDREW (September 2, 2020). "Attorney General Mark Herring will seek third term and will not run for governor". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Congressman Gerry Connolly endorses Mark Herring for attorney general". Augusta Free Press. January 29, 2021. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d Mirshahi, Dean (March 15, 2021). "Top Democrats in Virginia House of Delegates endorse Mark Herring in AG race". 8News. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "Bloc of Democratic House members announce endorsements of Mark Herring in AG re-election bid". Augusta Free Press. May 12, 2021. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Loudoun Now (March 17, 2021). "Randall Backs Herring Re-election Bid". Loudoun Now. Archived from the original on March 19, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor endorses Mark Herring for attorney general". Augusta Free Press. January 19, 2021. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Taylor endorses Herring". Henrico Citizen. January 18, 2021. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  12. ^ a b c "Who are your Gun Sense Candidates?". Gun Sense Voter. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  13. ^ "Virginia Professional Fire Fighters Endorse AG Mark Herring For Reelection". Blue Virginia. September 14, 2021. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  14. ^ "Rep. Bobby Scott endorses Del. Jay Jones for Virginia Attorney General". WVEC. May 12, 2021. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  15. ^ Otey, Jazmine (March 4, 2021). "Gov. Ralph Northam endorses Jay Jones over incumbent Attorney General Mark Herring". WSLS. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  16. ^ "Former Virginia attorney general Mary Sue Terry endorses Jay Jones in Democratic AG race". Augusta Free Press. March 2, 2021. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  17. ^ @DFAaction (February 5, 2021). "ENDORSEMENT ALERT: We're backing @jonesjay for VA Attorney General because we know that Jay bring a lifetime of adv…" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ @OurBlackParty (June 4, 2021). "For the Office of Attorney General, we are proud to support Delegate @jccjones" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "Democratic AG Debate". YouTube. May 15, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  20. ^ "2021 June Democratic Primary". Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  21. ^ Fox, Andy (December 2, 2020). "Del. Jason Miyares running for Va. attorney general in 2021". ABC 8. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  22. ^ "Chesterfield Supervisor Leslie Haley announces bid for attorney general nomination". 8News. January 14, 2021. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  23. ^ Shaw, Norma (June 14, 2020). "Smith supports Chase's 2021 gubernatorial bid". Washington Post. Royal Examiner. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  24. ^ "White announces campaign for attorney general of Virginia". CBS 19 News. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  25. ^ "Republican Bill Stanley Says Run For Governor Hinges on Trump". vpm.org. March 10, 2020. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  26. ^ "Virginia GOP Convention, Attorney General Nominee Ranked Choice Voting Election Results Visualization". rcvis.com. RCVis. May 11, 2021. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  27. ^ "Joe Biden". Hala for Virginia. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  28. ^ "'Don't Texas Virginia': Kamala Harris rallies for McAuliffe in Dumfries". October 22, 2021.
  29. ^ "Barack Obama stumps for Terry McAuliffe as tight Va. Governor's race worries Democrats". USA Today.
  30. ^ Ronan, Wyatt (September 14, 2021). "Human Rights Campaign Endorses Terry McAuliffe for Governor, Statewide Ticket Ahead Of Virginia General Election" (Press release). Human Rights Campaign. Archived from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  31. ^ "Virginia Professional Fire Fighters Endorse AG Mark Herring For Reelection". www.bluevirginia.us. Blue Virginia. September 14, 2021. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  32. ^ Martin, Jeanine. "Former Governor George Allen Endorses Jason Miyares for Attorney General – The Bull Elephant". Archived from the original on August 7, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  33. ^ Justin Faulconer (May 25, 2021). "Watch Now: Cline, Amherst GOP crowd rally for Youngkin in governor's race". Amherst New Era-Progress. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  34. ^ "Ken Cuccinelli predicts Glenn Youngkin win, Republican sweep of Virginia election". Fox News. October 25, 2021.
  35. ^ Downs, Rebecca (May 2, 2021). "U.S. Senators Are Weighing in on Virginia Elections". Townhall. Archived from the original on August 7, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g Martin, Jeanine. "Jason Miyares Announces First Endorsements In Campaign for Attorney General – The Bull Elephant". Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  37. ^ "NRA-PVF | Grades | Virginia". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  38. ^ Times-Dispatch, MEL LEONOR Richmond (July 22, 2021). "NRA skips Youngkin endorsement, backs other GOP statewide candidates". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  39. ^ "NRA Endorses Miyares and Sears in Virginia". NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  40. ^ "Virginia AG candidates Herring, Miyares square off in Loudoun Chamber debate". YouTube. October 13, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  41. ^ Domingo, Ida (July 24, 2020). "Police to investigate after monument of Robert E. Lee found knocked over in Roanoke". WSET.
  42. ^ Berrier Jr, Ralph (June 5, 2020). "Council majority supports removing Roanoke's memorial to Robert E. Lee, renaming plaza". Roanoke Times." WSET.
  43. ^ Fultz, Matthew (June 7, 2020). "Crew heard cheers as Confederate general's statue toppled in Monroe Park". WTVR-TV..
  44. ^ "2021 November General". results.elections.virginia.gov. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  45. ^ "Dra 2020".
edit
Official campaign websites