Candidate Profile: Shannon M. Jones (Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney race)
Shannon M. Jones is a candidate for Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney and is running as a Democrat. Her name will appear on the June 17, 2025 ballot. Taylor is running against Howard E. Gwynn in the June democratic primary. The winner will appear on the ballot for the General Election on Nov. 4.
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WAVY.com Candidate Profiles
Candidate Name: Shannon M. JonesAge: 40 years oldCandidate Website:
Shannon Jones is a seasoned attorney and community advocate running for Commonwealth's Attorney in Newport News. A proud graduate of Old Dominion University and Howard University School of Law, Shannon began her legal career in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, where she gained invaluable experience in a large, fast-paced urban justice system.
She has since served in both the Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney's Office and the City Attorney's Office, prosecuting serious offenses and advising public safety departments including police, fire, codes compliance, and human resources.
Shannon is the founder of the STARS Mock Trial Program for high school students at An Achievable Dream and is a committed leader in the legal community, having served as past president of the Greater Peninsula Women's Bar Association and as a board member of the Newport News Bar Association. She also chairs the Criminal Justice Committee for the Newport News NAACP. Shannon is the first woman to ever run for this office and is campaigning on a platform of fairness, community engagement, and meaningful reform.
I'm running for Commonwealth's Attorney because I believe Newport News is ready for a justice system that truly works for everyone. We need to do more to build trust between the community and law enforcement, more to support our young people, and more to make sure the system is fair and accountable.
I've worked in both the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office and the City Attorney's Office, so I've seen the system from different sides. I've been a prosecutor, worked with victims and law enforcement, and advised the departments that help keep our city safe. That experience gives me a clear picture of what's working and what needs to change.
Our citizens deserve a real choice and a vision for progress. I'm proud to be the first woman to ever run for this position, and I'm ready to bring a new perspective to the office. I'm running because I know we can do better and I'm ready to lead that change.
I am qualified to hold this office because I have the broad and practical experience that this role demands. I have tried nearly every type of criminal case there is, including sexual assault, child abuse and neglect, robbery, and murder. My work has spanned both criminal and civil cases, and I have handled matters in both state and federal court. That kind of versatility is rare, and it has prepared me to lead this office with confidence and clarity.
Right now, I serve in the Newport News City Attorney's Office, where I represent our police department of nearly 500 officers and our fire department of over 300 personnel. I work closely with these agencies every day, helping them navigate legal challenges and supporting their efforts to serve the public with integrity and accountability.
Because I've worked in both prosecution and local government, I understand all sides of our justice system—how cases are built, how they are prosecuted, and how they impact our community. I bring a perspective and a vision that my opponent simply does not have. This office needs someone who can lead with experience, fairness, and a true commitment to progress, and I am ready to do exactly that.
One of the biggest obstacles to obtaining convictions in our city is a lack of trust. When community members do not feel confident that the justice system will treat them fairly, they are less likely to come forward as witnesses, participate in investigations, or testify in court. That hesitation directly impacts our ability to build strong cases and achieve just outcomes. Trust cannot be demanded—it has to be earned. That starts with showing the community that the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is committed to fairness, transparency, and accountability.
That is why I believe in a community prosecution model. Prosecutors should not only be seen in courtrooms but also in neighborhoods, schools, and community spaces. Building real relationships outside the courtroom helps create a stronger foundation inside the courtroom. When people know the prosecutor's office is invested in their safety and well-being, they are more willing to engage in the process and help hold offenders accountable.
Another challenge is staffing. Like many offices across the state, we are struggling to recruit and retain experienced prosecutors. I want to build a team that is not only highly qualified, but also reflective of the diverse community we serve. Representation matters. It helps rebuild trust and ensures different perspectives are brought into every decision we make.
Balancing the enforcement of laws with ensuring fairness, especially for historically marginalized communities, requires both sensitivity and a commitment to justice. As Commonwealth's Attorney, I would make sure that we enforce the law fairly while also considering the broader context that leads to crime in the first place.
One way to do this is by using discretion in prosecution. For non-violent offenders or those whose actions stem from systemic issues like poverty or lack of opportunity, we should focus on intervention and rehabilitation. This can help reduce the over-incarceration of people from marginalized communities and break the cycle of criminal justice involvement.
I also believe that trust between the prosecutor's office and the community is key. By being transparent and engaging with the people we serve, we can make sure that the laws are enforced in a way that respects everyone's rights and addresses the root causes of crime.
This approach not only ensures fairness but also helps make our communities safer and more united.
I would like to work more collaboratively with the Attorney General's office to prosecute the most dangerous offenders in our community. Some Commonwealth's Attorney offices have a dedicated Attorney General assigned to them, and Newport News could definitely benefit from having one as well. This would help us focus more resources on the prosecution of violent criminals, human trafficking cases, and other complex offenses that require specialized expertise. A stronger partnership with the Attorney General's office would ensure we are better equipped to handle these critical cases and make our city safer.
Additionally, I believe that local collaboration between the Attorney General's office and the Commonwealth's Attorney's office can be extremely beneficial for community outreach. By working together on educational initiatives, we can strengthen our relationships with the community and help residents understand their rights and responsibilities within the justice system. For example, having the Attorney General's office teach in the STARS Program has been a great benefit to our students. Their involvement provides young people with valuable knowledge about the legal system and empowers them to make positive decisions in the future. A continued partnership like this can make a real difference in educating and engaging the community, which ultimately leads to safer and more trusting relationships between the public and law enforcement.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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