Norfolk Del. Jay Jones announced Thursday he will resign from his seat in the Virginia House of Delegates at the end of the year after winning reelection last month.
The Democrat’s resignation comes after he announced Tuesday that he and his wife are expecting their first child. Jones, 32, said in an announcement via public letter he’s ready to make fatherhood “the highest priority” in his life.
“I want to put my family first and be the best dad and the most supportive and present husband that I can possibly be,” Jones said.
Jones also left open the possibility of a run for Virginia attorney general in 2025.
“Let me be clear, our work is not done and I intend to serve the people of Virginia for years to come,” Jones said. “And that work may well mean a run for Attorney General in 2025.”
Jones sought the Democratic nomination for the office this year, but lost the primary to incumbent Mark Herring.
Jones, an attorney, has represented the 89th District since 2018 and won reelection in November with 80% of the vote. He was one of the chief co-patrons of legislation that abolished Virginia’s death penalty this year.
Although out of the General Assembly, Jones said he will remain in public service — in part through an initiative he launched in August, called “Meet our Moment.” The project aims to recruit and train minority Democratic candidates for state and local offices in Virginia.
“As I look eagerly upon state elections under new lines in 2023 and federal races in 2024, I’ll be training candidates, raising and contributing money, and doing anything and everything I can to help Democrats in Virginia,” Jones said.
A special election must be held to fill the seat Jones vacates. Despite pending redistricting, it will be held in the 89th District’s current boundaries.
Ali Sullivan, 757-677-1974, ali.sullivan@virginiamedia.com
