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Miyares talks first term and his reelection campaign
RICHMOND — Attorney General Jason Miyares argues that Virginia is safer today than it was when he took office, pointing to declines in murder and overdose rates as the centerpiece of his reelection pitch to voters.
In an interview with Virginia Scope, Miyares cited what he called a “remarkable turnaround” in public safety, touting the results of his office’s work on violent crime, fentanyl enforcement, and consumer protection. “There are more Virginians alive today than when I took office because of what we’ve done,” he said.
Miyares defeated two-term incumbent Mark Herring in 2021. Democrats held control of all three statewide offices for the eight years prior.
As he runs for a second term, Miyares is drawing a sharp contrast with the Democratic administration that preceded him, presenting his first four years as a shift in direction on public safety. He frequently points to declines in violent crime and drug overdose deaths as evidence that his policies are working, while warning that those gains could be reversed if Democrats win in November.
His claims, especially on crime and drug policy, come at a time when homicide rates are in fact falling in several Virginia cities — including Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Newport News.
Read Virginia Scope’s interview with Miyares below: