Jake Denton

My wife Katie and I grew up in Virginia Beach and love raising our children in Hampton Roads. I’ve practiced law throughout the 2nd District for 12 years. Before law school, I worked as a journalist, covering disadvantaged communities and our local economy. First as a writer and now as a constitutional and civil rights attorney, I have always considered it my job to call out and fight injustice. I’m proud to represent clients in anti-defamation, sexual harassment, and discrimination cases. Our Constitution, civil rights, and the rule of law are critically important to me.

I believe in finding common ground to solve big problems. We need a leader in the 2nd District who’s focused on building our economy, restoring reproductive rights, and protecting the rule of law. But extremists – Donald Trump and his followers – are threatening our Constitution and basic freedoms like the right to choose and the right to vote. Trump tried to overturn the last election and claims he’s above the law. Trump talks openly about turning our democracy into a dictatorship. Americans deserve better.

Jeremiah “Jake” Denton IV is a civil rights and constitutional law attorney. After practicing law for ten years with his father, himself a distinguished civil rights attorney, Jake opened his own law firm in 2022. His law practice focuses on First Amendment law and discrimination cases. Jake also volunteers pro bono legal services to victims of domestic violence. He regularly tries cases in state and federal courts and has served as a court-appointed attorney for indigent defendants.

Jake enters the race inspired by a family deeply rooted in public service. Jake grew up in Virginia Beach because both his grandfathers were U.S. Navy fighter pilots who moved here while serving in the Vietnam War. His grandfather Jeremiah A. Denton Jr., a former U.S. Senator, was held captive as a POW for seven years in Vietnam, where his father also fought as an Army helicopter pilot. Jake’s mother was a pioneer among women lawyers in Hampton Roads starting the practice of law in the late 1970’s, and then served for nearly two decades on the Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. His step-father and political mentor Guy Tower recently served on the City Council of Virginia Beach.