Jason Miyares

Jason Miyares
Born	Jason Stuart Miyares 11 2, 1976
Birthplace	Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Education	James Madison University (BBA) College of William & Mary (JD)
Spouse(s)	Page Atkinson
Children	3

Jason Stuart Miyares (born February 11, 1976) is an American politician and attorney who served as the 48th Attorney General of Virginia from 2022 to 2026. A member of the Republican Party, Miyares previously represented the 82nd district in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2016 to 2022. The son of a Cuban immigrant, he became the first Hispanic American elected to statewide office in Virginia when he won the attorney general's race in 2021, defeating Democratic incumbent Mark Herring. He lost his bid for reelection in 2025 to Democrat Jay Jones. Following his departure from office in January 2026, Miyares joined a law firm founded by former U.S. Attorney General William Barr and has been discussed as a potential candidate for the 2029 Virginia gubernatorial election.

Early Life

Jason Stuart Miyares was born on February 11, 1976, in Greensboro, North Carolina. His mother emigrated from Cuba, making Miyares part of the Cuban-American diaspora in the United States. His heritage became a defining aspect of his political identity, and he frequently referenced his family's experience under Fidel Castro's regime in his public statements and policy positions.

Miyares grew up and eventually settled in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, which became the base of his political career. His Cuban heritage informed his views on foreign policy, particularly with respect to U.S. relations with Cuba. Early in his tenure as a delegate, he drew attention for challenging then-Governor Terry McAuliffe on the issue of Cuba outreach, urging the governor to meet with political dissidents on the island rather than engaging solely with the Cuban government.

In a 2017 speech on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates, Miyares delivered a personal critique of McAuliffe's Cuba policy that drew what The Washington Post described as "rapt silence, then applause" from fellow lawmakers. In that address, he spoke about his mother's experience fleeing Cuba and the political oppression his family endured under the Castro government.

Education

Miyares attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He subsequently obtained his Juris Doctor from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. His legal education prepared him for a career as a prosecutor in Virginia Beach, which preceded his entry into elective politics.

Career

Early Legal Career

Before entering politics, Miyares worked as a prosecutor in Virginia Beach. His experience in the criminal justice system became a central theme in his political campaigns and later in his tenure as attorney general.

Virginia House of Delegates (2016–2022)

Miyares won election to the Virginia House of Delegates in November 2015, representing the 82nd district in the Hampton Roads region. He succeeded Bill DeSteph, who had been elected to the Virginia State Senate. He took office on January 13, 2016.

During his time in the House of Delegates, Miyares focused on a range of legislative issues. One of his early actions involved challenging Governor McAuliffe's overtures to Cuba. In January 2016, Miyares publicly called on the governor to meet with political dissidents during any engagement with the Cuban government, drawing on his personal connection to the island through his mother's emigration.

In March 2016, Miyares co-sponsored legislation condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. The resolution, passed by Virginia's Joint Council, characterized the BDS movement as counter to the interests of peaceful resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Miyares also took legislative action on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was among the lawmakers working to pass bills that would make it more difficult to file lawsuits related to COVID-19 issues, seeking to provide legal protections for businesses and other entities operating during the public health emergency.

In 2019, Miyares was involved in legislation related to adoption rights for same-sex couples. The Washington Post reported on how the legacy of former U.S. Senator George Allen's chief of staff inspired legislation to make it easier for gay couples to raise children, a measure that Miyares engaged with during the legislative session.

During his tenure as delegate, Miyares took positions on several contentious issues facing the Virginia legislature, including debates over voting legislation, the abolition of the death penalty, and the removal of Confederate monuments. He was among Republicans who opposed Governor Ralph Northam's push to expand voting access and end capital punishment in the Commonwealth. He also weighed in on the debate surrounding the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond.

2021 Attorney General Campaign

In early 2021, Miyares announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Virginia. He ran as part of a Republican ticket that included Glenn Youngkin for governor and Winsome Sears for lieutenant governor. The 2021 Virginia elections were widely viewed as a bellwether for national political trends, with issues such as education policy, public safety, and pandemic-era restrictions dominating the campaign.

Miyares faced Democratic incumbent Mark Herring, who was seeking a third term as attorney general. During the campaign, Miyares emphasized his background as a prosecutor and positioned himself as a law-and-order candidate. He pushed back against Democratic claims regarding his positions on abortion and other social issues. The race also featured debates over police reform, criminal justice, and the role of the attorney general's office in state governance.

On Election Day in November 2021, Miyares defeated Herring as part of a Republican sweep of the three statewide offices. His victory made him the first Hispanic American to be elected to statewide office in Virginia and the first to serve as attorney general of the Commonwealth.

Attorney General of Virginia (2022–2026)

Miyares was inaugurated as the 48th Attorney General of Virginia on January 15, 2022, serving under Governor Glenn Youngkin. During his tenure, Miyares oversaw the operations of the Office of the Attorney General, which serves as the chief legal officer of the Commonwealth.

As attorney general, Miyares took positions on a number of legal and policy issues facing Virginia. His office was involved in matters related to state governance, law enforcement, and legal challenges to various policies. His tenure coincided with a period of significant political debate in Virginia on issues including redistricting, election integrity, and public safety.

2025 Reelection Campaign and Defeat

Miyares sought reelection in 2025, facing Democratic challenger Jay Jones, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Norfolk. The race became one of the most closely watched contests in Virginia's off-year elections.

In their only debate of the 2025 election cycle, held in October 2025, Miyares and Jones exchanged sharp criticisms. The Virginia Mercury reported that the candidates "trade[d] barbs over violent texts, Trump" during the encounter, with both sides seeking to define the race on their own terms.

In the closing days of the campaign, Miyares told WTOP that he would "seek common ground" with Democratic leaders should Virginia end up with a split-ticket result in its statewide elections.

On November 4, 2025, Miyares lost the attorney general's race to Jones. He conceded the election that evening at the Embassy Suites in Virginia Beach before a crowd of supporters. VPM reported that the gathering had been "hopeful early on election night" before the results became clear. The New York Times subsequently reported that Jones's victory made him the new attorney general, defeating the incumbent Miyares.

Post-Office Career

Following the end of his term as attorney general on January 17, 2026, Miyares transitioned to the private sector. He joined a law firm founded by former U.S. Attorney General William Barr, which also included other former members of the Trump administration, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, according to WJLA.

Miyares has also remained active in Virginia politics after leaving office. In early February 2026, he joined the campaign against mid-decade redistricting in Virginia. WVIR reported that Miyares said "common sense will prevail" in the legal and political battle over redistricting efforts in the Commonwealth.

National Review reported that Miyares has been planning a potential run for governor of Virginia in 2029, noting that he had been considering the gubernatorial race since he opted to run for reelection as attorney general in the 2025 cycle.

In February 2026, Miyares was sued in federal court by a former employee of the attorney general's office. The former employee alleged that she was wrongfully terminated after raising conflict of interest concerns during Miyares's tenure. The lawsuit was reported by 13News Now, which noted the case was filed in federal court.

Personal Life

Miyares is married to Page Atkinson, and the couple has three children. The family has been based in the Virginia Beach area, which served as the geographic center of Miyares's political career from his time as a delegate through his tenure as attorney general.

Miyares has spoken publicly about the influence of his mother's experience as a Cuban immigrant on his political views and personal identity. His Cuban heritage was a prominent element of his public profile throughout his career in Virginia politics, and his election as attorney general in 2021 was noted as a milestone for Hispanic representation in the Commonwealth.

Recognition

Miyares's 2021 election as attorney general was noted as a historic milestone, as he became the first Hispanic American to be elected to statewide office in Virginia. This achievement was widely reported in Virginia and national media coverage of the 2021 elections, which saw a Republican sweep of all three statewide offices under the banner of the Youngkin-Sears-Miyares ticket.

His background as the son of a Cuban immigrant and his personal narrative about his family's flight from the Castro regime drew attention throughout his political career, beginning with his early speeches in the House of Delegates.

The Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) maintained a detailed profile of Miyares throughout his career in Virginia politics, tracking his campaign finance records and electoral history.