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 (age 46) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Cerina Fairfax ​ (m. 2006)​
Children	2
Relatives	Roger Fairfax (brother)
Residences	Annandale, Virginia, U.S.
Education	Duke University (BA) Columbia University (JD)

Justin Edward Fairfax (born February 17, 1979) is 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 to be elected to a statewide office in Virginia's history. The first was Douglas Wilder.

In 2019, Fairfax faced serious accusations about his past behavior from two women. He denied these claims. In 2021, he ran for Governor of Virginia but did not win the Democratic Party's nomination.

Early Life and Education

Justin Fairfax's family has a long history in Virginia. His ancestors were once enslaved by the Fairfax family. One of his ancestors, Simon Fairfax, was given his freedom by Thomas Fairfax, 9th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. This happened because of Thomas Fairfax's beliefs. Justin Fairfax received a copy of this freedom document when he became lieutenant governor in 2018. His older brother, Roger Jr., is also a legal expert.

Fairfax moved from Pittsburgh to Northeast Washington, D.C. when he was five years old. He was one of four children. He went to DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he was the senior class president.

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

Early Career

Fairfax during his 2013 campaign for attorney general.

Fairfax began his political career working on the 2000 presidential campaign for Al Gore. He also worked for Senator John Edwards of North Carolina. In 2004, he joined the presidential campaign of John Kerry, working as an assistant to John Edwards, who was the vice presidential candidate.

After the campaign, Fairfax worked as a law clerk for a federal judge. He then worked for a large law firm before becoming a federal prosecutor in Alexandria, Virginia, in 2010. .....

In 2013, Fairfax ran for attorney general of Virginia. It was his first time running for public office. He lost the Democratic nomination to Mark Herring in a very close race. The Washington Post praised Fairfax, saying he had an "impressive command of the issues."

After the election, Fairfax co-chaired the 2014 re-election campaign for U.S. Senator Mark Warner. He later returned to working at law firms.

Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

2017 Campaign

In 2017, Fairfax decided to run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. He won the Democratic primary election with about 49% of the vote.

In the main election, he faced Republican Jill Vogel. Both candidates raised millions of dollars for their campaigns. The Washington Post endorsed Fairfax, calling him "bright, competent, well-versed" and "the much better choice."

Fairfax won the election with over 52% of the vote. His victory made him only the second African-American in Virginia's history to win a statewide election.

Time in Office

As lieutenant governor, Fairfax's job was part-time. This allowed him to continue working as a lawyer. He also became the first leader of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association (DLGA) when it was started in 2018.

One of his most noted actions came in January 2019. The Virginia Senate planned a tribute to honor Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Fairfax protested this by stepping down from his seat during the tribute. He explained that he was thinking of his great-great-great grandfather, who was freed from slavery.

Serious Accusations

In February 2019, two women made serious accusations against Fairfax concerning events that they said happened in 2000 and 2004. Fairfax firmly denied all the accusations, stating they were false and part of a "smear campaign" against him.

The news of these accusations led to many politicians, including members of his own party, calling for him to resign. Fairfax refused to step down and demanded a full investigation to clear his name. The accusations had a major impact on his career. He was asked to take a leave of absence from his law firm and other positions he held.

What Fairfax Believes: Policy Positions

Fairfax's political views are focused on several key areas.

Economy and Environment

• He supports raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
• He wants to help people with student loan debt.
• He supports job training for skilled trades like electricians and welders.
• He wants to invest in clean energy, like wind and solar power, to fight climate change.

Healthcare and Government

• He supports the Affordable Care Act and expanding Medicaid (a government health program for low-income people).
• He has expressed support for a system where the government pays for everyone's healthcare.
• He believes there should be limits on how much money can be donated to political campaigns.

Social Issues

• He supports a woman's right to choose and same-sex marriage.
• He is in favor of stricter gun control laws.
• He supports criminal justice reform, including restoring voting rights to former criminals who have served their time.

Personal Life

Fairfax and his wife, Cerina, live in Annandale, Virginia. They have two children. He is a member of the Catholic faith.

Electoral History

See also

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

Images for kids

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  Fairfax campaigning for state attorney general, 2013