Who was Justin Fairfax? Former Virginia Lt. Gov found dead with wife

Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax is accused of killing his wife in a potential murder-suicide in Virginia, authorities say.

Here's what to know about Fairfax, who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2021.

What was Justin Fairfax?

A member of the Democratic party originally from Pittsburgh, Fairfax began working for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia in 2010.

“I was disappointed when Justin left the U.S. attorney’s office after just two years because of my firm belief that he had a very promising future,” longtime DOJ prosecutor Gene Rossi told The New York Times.

He ran for public office in 2013 for the first time, running for attorney general in Virginia. He garnered 68,177 votes, losing by about 4,000 votes to Mark Herring.

In 2017, he ran for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, defeating Jill Vogel by a 53-47 margin. He became the second Black politcian to win a statewide election in Virginia, WAVY reported.

He ran for governor in 2021 but didn't make it out of the Democratic primary, only receiving 17,471 votes.

Fairfax and his wife reportedly had two children.

Did Justin Fairfax have a criminal history?

In 2019, Fairfax faced sexual assault allegations dating back at least 15 years.

Vanessa Tyson, who worked alongside Fairfax at the 2004 Democratic national convention, alleged Fairfax forced her to perform oral sex in a Boston hotel.

He denied the allegations, saying the encounter was consensual. He called the allegations "surprising and hurtful" and said he knows they are "not true."

A second woman, Meredith Watson, also reported Fairfax had sexually assaulted her while they attended Duke University in 2000.

Fairfax faced calls to resign from his lieutenant governor role, including by the state Democratic party, but he ultimately continued his job.

"I deny this latest unsubstantiated allegation. It is demonstrably false," he said after the second accusation. "I have never forced myself on anyone ever. I demand a full investigation into these unsubstantiated and false allegations. Such an investigation will confirm my account because I am telling the truth. I will clear my good name and I have nothing to hide."

Fairfax was never charged, and in 2021 he sued CBS for defamation after it aired interviews from his accusers. The lawsuit was later dismissed.