Justin Fairfax facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Justin Fairfax
Fairfax in 2020
41st Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
In office January 13, 2018 – January 15, 2022
Governor	Ralph Northam
Preceded by	Ralph Northam
Succeeded by	Winsome Earle-Sears
Personal details
Born	Justin Edward Fairfax (1979-02-17)February 17, 1979 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	April 16, 2026(2026-04-16) (aged 47) Annandale, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Cerina ​ (m. 2006⁠–⁠2026)​
Children	2
Relatives	Roger Fairfax (brother)
Residences	Annandale, Virginia, U.S.
Education	Duke University (BA) Columbia University (JD)

Justin Edward Fairfax (February 17, 1979 – April 16, 2026) was an American lawyer and politician. He served as the 41st Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 2018 to 2022. As a member of the Democratic Party, he was the second African-American person elected to a statewide office in Virginia. This followed Douglas Wilder's historic election. In 2021, he ran as a Democratic candidate for Governor of Virginia, finishing fourth in the primary election. Justin Fairfax passed away on April 16, 2026.

Early Life and Education

Justin Edward Fairfax was born on February 17, 1979, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When he was five, his family moved to Northeast Washington, D.C.. He was one of four children. Fairfax graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he was the senior class president.

He then attended Duke University, graduating in 2000 with a degree in public policy. After working for the Senate Judiciary Committee for two years, Fairfax earned his law degree (J.D.) from Columbia Law School. While there, he was part of the Columbia Law Review.

Family History and Heritage

Fairfax's family history connects to the Lords Fairfax of Cameron, who owned enslaved people. Fairfax County, Virginia is named after this family. His ancestor, Simon Fairfax, gained freedom from Thomas Fairfax, 9th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. This happened because of Thomas Fairfax's Swedenborgian beliefs, which led him to free his slaves. Justin Fairfax received a copy of this freedom document from his father when he became Virginia's lieutenant governor in 2018. His older brother, Roger Jr., is a well-known legal expert.

Political and Legal Career

Fairfax during his 2013 attorney general campaign

Justin Fairfax began his career in politics. He was a briefing coordinator for Tipper Gore during Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign. He also worked for Democratic Senator John Edwards of North Carolina in Washington. In 2004, he joined the John Kerry presidential campaign, assisting Edwards, who was then the vice presidential candidate.

Legal Work and Public Service

In 2005, Fairfax served as a law clerk for Judge Gerald Bruce Lee in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. He then worked at the law firm WilmerHale in Washington. In 2010, he joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. For two years, Fairfax worked as a federal prosecutor in Alexandria, Virginia. During this time, he also helped lead the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force.

First Campaign for Attorney General

Fairfax first ran for public office in 2013, seeking the Democratic nomination for state attorney general. He lost to Mark Herring but showed a strong performance. Herring won by about 4,500 votes out of 141,600. The Washington Post praised Fairfax, noting his "agile and impressive command of the issues."

After this election, Fairfax co-chaired the 2014 reelection campaign for U.S. Senator Mark Warner from Virginia. The next year, he worked at the law firm Venable LLP. Later, he joined Morrison & Foerster, where he became a partner in September 2018. Fairfax was also a visitor at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.

Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

Campaign for Lieutenant Governor

In 2017, Fairfax ran for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. In the Democratic primary, he competed against Gene Rossi and Susan Platt. All three candidates promised not to accept campaign money from Dominion Energy. This was because of concerns about the company's plan to build the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Fairfax raised more money than his opponents and won the primary with about 49% of the vote.

Fairfax then faced Republican nominee Jill Vogel, a state senator. Both candidates raised similar amounts of money for their campaigns. They held forums and debates to discuss their ideas. The Washington Post supported Fairfax, calling him "bright, competent, well-versed."

During the campaign, some flyers for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ralph Northam did not include Fairfax. This happened at the request of a labor union that supported the pipeline, which Fairfax opposed. Some activists criticized this decision. Fairfax said, "This should not have happened, and it should not happen again." The campaign later stated that the Democratic team was "working well together."

Former Virginia governor Douglas Wilder also commented on the flyer issue, supporting Fairfax. Fairfax won the election by 5.5%. He became only the second African-American in Virginia history to be elected to a statewide office.

Time in Office

During his term, the role of lieutenant governor of Virginia was part-time. Fairfax left his law firm, Venable, in December 2017. His law partner, Larry Roberts, served as his chief of staff. In September 2018, Fairfax joined the law firm Morrison & Foerster. This continued the tradition of Virginia lieutenant governors also working in other jobs. Fairfax also became the first head of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association (DLGA), which started in August 2018.

On January 19, 2019, Fairfax protested a tribute in the state Senate honoring Confederate General Robert E. Lee's birthday. Fairfax tweeted about his ancestor, Simon Fairfax, who was freed from slavery in Virginia.

Policy Positions

Fairfax campaigning for state attorney general, 2013

On economic issues, Fairfax supported policies like a $15 minimum wage. He also wanted to address student loan debt and offer more job training and apprenticeships for skilled trades. These trades include electricians, welders, and machine operators. Fairfax supported investing in transportation and infrastructure. He also backed Governor Terry McAuliffe's Virginia Clean Power Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This plan aimed to combat climate change. Fairfax favored promoting renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

Fairfax supported the Affordable Care Act and expanding Medicaid to help low-income Virginians. He also supported limits on campaign contributions. Fairfax had expressed support for single-payer healthcare.

On social issues, Fairfax favored gun control measures like universal background checks and bans on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons. He supported criminal justice reform and former governor McAuliffe's plan to restore voting rights to felons. This applied to those who had completed their probation and parole.

Personal life

Fairfax lived in Annandale, Virginia, with his wife, Cerina, and their two children. He was Catholic.

Electoral history

See also

• List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States