Jason Miyares, the attorney general of Virginia, is using his re-election bid to highlight his record of reducing murder rates and securing $1 billion in penalties against pharmaceutical companies to combat the fentanyl crisis. His campaign has been shaped by the controversy surrounding his Democratic opponent, Jay Jones, whose violent texts about a former Republican House Speaker, Todd Gilbert, and his family have become the focal point of the race. Miyares has called for Jones’ disqualification from office, arguing that the texts reveal an inability to embody the civility and decency expected of public officials. The attorney general emphasized his focus on Virginians’ safety, noting that the state faced a 20-year high in murder rates in 2021 when he took office. He credited his administration with implementing initiatives like Operation Bold Blue Line and Operation Ceasefire, which have led to a sharp decline in violent crime in the most affected cities. Additionally, Miyares highlighted the state’s efforts to combat the fentanyl epidemic, which has claimed thousands of lives, by securing over $1 billion in financial penalties from pharmaceutical companies and retailers like Janssen, J&J, CVS, and Kroger. He has redirected that funding toward drug treatment programs, calling it the largest influx of resources for addiction treatment in the state’s history. Meanwhile, the scandal involving Jones has drawn national attention, with critics questioning the integrity of the Democratic candidate and the broader implications for the state’s political landscape. Despite the controversy, Jones’ campaign has not faced direct pressure to withdraw, while the race continues to focus on issues of safety, ethics, and the role of public officials in safeguarding the community. The debate over Jones’ texts is expected to dominate the upcoming attorney general debate, with Miyares arguing that the incident represents a defining moment in Virginia’s political and social landscape.