Justin Fairfax

Justin Fairfax
Fairfax in 2020
Fairfax in 2020
41st Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
In office
January 13, 2018 – January 15, 2022
GovernorRalph Northam
Preceded byRalph Northam
Succeeded byWinsome Earle-Sears
Personal details
Born
Justin Edward Fairfax

(1979-02-17)February 17, 1979
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 16, 2026(2026-04-16) (aged 47)
Woodburn, Virginia, U.S.
Cause of deathSuicide by firearm
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Cerina Wanzer
​
​
(m. 2006; sep. 2024)​
[1]
Children2
RelativesRoger Fairfax (brother)
EducationDuke University (BA)
Columbia University (JD)

Justin Edward Fairfax (February 17, 1979 – April 16, 2026) was an American attorney and politician.[2][3] He was the 41st Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 2018 to 2022. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He beat Republican nominee Jill Vogel in the 2017 election. He unsuccessfully ran for governor of Virginia in 2021. In 2026, he and his wife were found dead in their home. Police believe that it was a murder–suicide.[4]

Political career

Fairfax was the second African American to win a statewide election in Virginia. The first was Douglas Wilder, who won the election to become Lieutenant Governor in 1985.

In early February 2019, Big League Politics[5] reported that Fairfax had been accused by Vanessa C. Tyson, an associate professor at Scripps College and fellow at Stanford University, of sexual assault at a hotel at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston.[6]

In September 2020, Fairfax announced his candidacy for Governor of Virginia.[7] He lost the Democratic nomination to former Governor Terry McAuliffe.

Death

On April 16, 2026, Fairfax was found dead with his wife Cerina at his home in Woodburn, Virginia.[8] Fairfax had shot and killed his wife before shooting himself while their two children were at home.[9]

At the time of his death, he was expected to go to court on April 21 and his wife was in the process of divorcing him and was given full custody of the children because of Fairfax's alcoholism.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Justin Fairfax on Instagram: 'When #FathersDay & our 12th Wedding Anniversary fall on the same day... #Blessed #WeRiseTogether'". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  2. ↑ Armour, Evanne (2017-09-12). "One-on-one with Lt. Gov. candidate Justin Fairfax". WAVY-TV. Archived from the original on 2018-02-18. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  3. ↑ Johnson, Jason. "The Root Presents On the Run: 2017 Campaign Edition". The Root. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  4. ↑ Alnwick, Melanie (April 16, 2026). "Former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax shot, killed wife and himself inside home: police". Fox 5 DC.
  5. ↑ Gabriel, Trip; Grynbaum, Michael M. (February 4, 2019). "With Northam Picture, Obscure Publication Plays Big Role in Virginia Politics" – via NYTimes.com.
  6. ↑ "Virginia governor's deputy Justin Fairfax denies assault claims". Bbc.com. February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Virginia lieutenant governor enters race for governor". Associated Press. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  8. ↑ Fortin, Jacey; Robertson, Campbell (April 16, 2026). "Virginia Ex-Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax Kills Wife and Self, Police Say". New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  9. ↑ Rosenthal, Sophie; Bove, Nick (16 April 2026). "Former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife, himself in Annandale, police confirm". WUSA. CBS News. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  10. ↑ "Justin Fairfax lost custody of kids, was ordered to move out, court documents say". NBC Washington. April 16, 2026. Retrieved April 16, 2026.

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