Last night’s state attorney general (AG) election in Virginia marks the first major test of the parties’ political strength heading into the 2026 election cycle. At the end of this highly anticipated race, Democrats were able to flip the state, giving them momentum heading into 2026. In addition, Democrats preserved the appointed AG seat in New Jersey.
Virginia’s off-year contest has often served as an early indicator of voter sentiment and helped shape expectations for the following year’s races. While it is too early to determine where the political winds will ultimately go, there was one certainty to come out of last night’s race: next year will be closely watched and highly competitive. With over 30 state attorneys general races in 2026 and at least 17 AG offices sure to have changeover due to term limits or the current AG running for a different office, next year’s outcomes will most certainly impact this increasingly competitive political landscape.
Election Results
Virginia
In Virginia, the incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) was challenged by former state legislative House Delegate Jay Jones (D). In recent weeks, the race garnered national attention with both parties spending tens of millions of dollars in the race.
- Winner: Jay Jones (D)
- Vote Margin: 53.1%-46.5%
- Partisan Shift: Republican → Democrat
Initial Implications: With the Democratic challenger unseating the incumbent Republican AG, we can likely anticipate a shift in priorities toward price transparency, housing discrimination and increased scrutiny on competitive practices, among other things. We can also likely anticipate an additional Democrat joining multistate litigation on certain issues, including pushing back on actions taken by the Trump administration.
New Jersey
Because New Jersey’s AG is appointed, eyes were on the outcome of the governor’s race. Since Gov. Phil Murphy is term-limited, this was an open contest and a new governor will appoint an AG regardless of the election outcome. That said, the Democratic candidate Mikie Sherril defeated the Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli by a vote of 56.2%-43.2%, keeping control of the New Jersey AG’s office with the Democrats.
Initial Implications: There has been no indication as to who the governor-elect will appoint as attorney general, including whether she will ask current AG Matthew Platkin to serve again. Whether she retains AG Platkin or appoints someone new, we don’t anticipate that the policies or priorities of the New Jersey AG’s office will change significantly.
