In Episode 7 of Season 5 former VA Chief Deputy AG Chuck Slemp runs down the Democratic candidates in the upcoming VA Primary with Grace Garver and gives his prediction for who will win the race in November. 

(00:00) Host Chuck Slemp introduces himself and State AG Group colleague Grace Garver, and presents the topic for discussion this week, the Virginia Democratic primary and the general election race.

(01:10) Graces gives an update on state AG election front for 2025: Virginia and New Jersey are the only races this year. Virginia will elect its AG, while the New Jersey AG is appointed, and will be dependent on who is elected governor.

(03:35) Chuck talks about the two Democratic primary candidates, Shannon Taylor, Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney, and Jay Jones, former state delegate. He provides insights into their background and priorities.

(06:22) Grace asks about what the impact of Virginia’s lengthy early voting period will be.  Chuck explains that the laws were recently changed to extend voting out for over a month in the commonwealth which  may benefit candidates with a stronger grassroots operation and with higher name recognition.

(09:31) Grace turns the attention toward the November primary and Republican incumbent Jason Miyares. Chuck outlines his longstanding relationship with AG Miyares and  the sorts of things they were able to accomplish when they worked together. Chuck adds that AG Miyares is consistent in his beliefs and actions, and Chuck expects he will continue to focus on law and order themes, combatting social media harms and protecting minors.

(12:08) Grace asks Chuck what he expects AG Miyares’ Democratic opponent, whichever way it turns out, to focus on against him in the general. Chuck states if it is Shannon Taylor, he would expect her to contrast her courtroom experience and try to focus on her years as the elected prosecutor, and if it’s Jay Jones he think he’s going to focus on civil rights and consumer protection and the work that he did in the DC AG’s office.

(13: 07) When asked to pull out his crystal ball and make a prediction about the November general election, Chuck states he believes it will be a landslide, and goes on to backup his reasoning.

(15:12) As far as what the November election could mean for Virginia residents and business owners, Chuck states that the outcome could shape everything from how the Commonwealth litigates against the federal government to how aggressively it pursues data privacy cases or environmental enforcement or other regulatory actions. It could also set the tone for next year’s AG elections.

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