Jason Miyares joins Pence’s policy group after Virginia attorney general loss

“Jason Miyares is a principled conservative with an inspiring personal story who served Virginia with integrity, and I couldn’t be more honored to welcome him to Advancing American Freedom,” Pence said in a statement.

Miyares, a Republican, served as Virginia’s attorney general from 2022 until January 2026 after defeating Democrat Mark Herring in 2021. He became the first Hispanic American elected to statewide office in Virginia and made combating violent crime, fentanyl trafficking, and culture-war fights over education key pillars of his tenure.

He lost reelection last year to Democrat Jay Jones as Democrats regained momentum in statewide races, ultimately flipping Virginia blue.

The appointment also carries political significance given Pence’s standing within the GOP.

Advancing American Freedom was launched in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and Pence’s split with President Donald Trump over certifying the 2020 election results.

The organization has promoted traditional conservative priorities, including limited government, anti-abortion policies, and a hawkish foreign policy, while at times serving as a counterweight to the more populist direction of the GOP under Trump.

Miyares remained closely aligned with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin during his time in office and was considered a rising Republican figure nationally before his defeat in 2025. Since leaving office, he has remained active in conservative legal and political circles.