With nominees chosen, statewide candidates turn their attentions to November

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The November ballot is coming into focus in Virginia.

In the race for lieutenant governor, Democratic State Senator Ghazala Hashmi will face off against former radio host Republican John Reid. 

Hashmi told 8News that her campaign will focus on what she has prioritized throughout her legislative career -- working families. 

“I intend to focus on the legislative work that I have been doing, the results that we’ve seen because of the policy efforts that have been made by Democrats in the General Assembly, and I think those differences are going to be quite clear and stark to voters,” Hashmi told 8News.

Meanwhile, with Hashmi currently serving as chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, Reid says he wants to make education the focal point of his campaign.

“She’s got to own the responsibility for some of the divisive and negative policies that have gone through in the Commonwealth of Virginia and are impacting students and families negatively,” said Reid.

Meanwhile, in the race for attorney general, former Democratic Delegate Jay Jones will challenge Republican incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares. In an interview on Wednesday, Jones criticized Miyares for failing to stand up to President Donald Trump.

“Jason Miyares has had every opportunity over the last five months to demonstrate that he’s gonna work for us, to protect us, to fight for us, to do his job. He’s not joined any of these lawsuits to protect the interests of Virginia, [which] would put us in a much better position. Instead, he’s left us out to dry,” Jones told 8News.

In a statement, Miyares said, “My opponent’s ideological record makes Virginia families less safe and our streets more violent. The law is a shield to keep people safe, not a sword for social justice warriors or a platform for grand social experiments.”