Mike Jones Cruises in Democratic Primary for Virginia Senate Seat

Del. Mike Jones advances to January special election amid crime and immigration concerns

Published December 18, 2025

Del. Mike Jones, D-Richmond, won the firehouse democratic primary to replace Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi in State District-15 covering parts of South Richmond and Chesterfield County by a wide margin in early December.

“I’m humbled, and I’m happy to represent the Democrats of State District-15 in the special election coming up on the sixth of January,” Jones said in a statement to Virginia Scope Sunday night.

After this primary, Jones advances to the special general election against candidates from other parties on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. This special general election will determine the State Senator of Virginia’s District-15. Lt. Gov.-elect Hashmi will relinquish the Senate seat to assume the role of Virginia’s lieutenant governor next month.

In a campaign video attacking Jones’ posted on the Wednesday prior to the election, his opponent Debra Gardner accused Jones of violence against women with references to a protective order from a former wife. Public records show that a judge later dissolved the order after finding the provided evidence was insufficient.

Jones, a Virginia Native, has spent the last several years serving the community as a local pastor, and public servant. He also earned a Doctor of Ministry from the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. (RELATED: State AGs Push to Block Virginia AG-Elect Jay Jones From National Prosecutor Groups)

“Mike Jones has shown through his work and leadership that he is deeply committed to serving Virginians and tackling the everyday challenges families face,” DPVA Chair Senator Lamont Bagby said in a statement after the results were posted.

The elected leadership will face challenges in the new year including the nationally-high crime rates in Virginia. According to police reports, Richmond saw an increase in aggravated domestic assaults, or instances of reported domestic violence, by 89%, with 115 reported cases in 2025 compared to 61 in 2024. During Richmond Police Department’s public outreach program, Operation Safe Summer conducted from May 31 to Sept. 6, deadly crime has dropped.

There have been several high-profile reports about crime related to illegal immigration. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported at least 6,600 arrests in 2025 through October in Virginia alone. According to reports from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (VA-R), the recent arrests included members of the international gangs MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. The Trump administration classifies these as terrorist groups.

As of now, it is unclear how Richmond’s new administration will approach federal immigration enforcement. Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (VA-D) has insinuated that she would not engage in the same partnerships between federal agencies from the previous administration, including law enforcement collaboration agreements with ICE. Elected leadership should expect to continue to work with law enforcement to mitigate state violent crime.