News Summary
Jay Jones, a candidate for Virginia’s attorney general, is encountering severe backlash after violent text messages he sent were revealed. The messages included graphic comments about shooting a political figure and have drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum. While Jones initially downplayed his remarks as humorous, he later admitted to his wrongdoing and issued an apology. Political leaders, including Governor Glenn Youngkin, have criticized his character, with calls for him to withdraw from the race. This controversy may impact the Democratic Party as elections approach.
Richmond, Virginia — Virginia Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones is facing significant backlash from both sides of the political aisle following the revelation of violent text messages he sent in August 2022. The messages, which included graphic fantasies about shooting then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and wishing harm on his family, have been labeled as disqualifying by several political figures.
In the disclosed texts, Jones made statements such as “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head” and referred to Gilbert’s children as “breeding little fascists.” Initially, when confronted with the messages, Jones attempted to downplay their seriousness, calling them humorous and comparing himself to characters from the television show The Office.
Delegate Carrie Coyner, a Republican, confirmed the authenticity of the messages, asserting that they are “disturbing” and should disqualify anyone from holding public office. Jones later admitted to sending the messages and expressed that he was “embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry” for his comments in a public apology.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin condemned Jones’s remarks, referring to them as “violent, disgusting rhetoric” and asserting that Jones lacks the character necessary to serve in office. This sentiment was echoed by other political leaders, including U.S. Attorney General Jason Miyares and Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, both of whom called for Jones to withdraw from the race.
The controversy escalated when Jones reportedly doubled down on his remarks during a phone call with Coyner after she voiced concerns over the texts. While many Democratic leaders in Virginia, including gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger and U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, condemned Jones’s comments, they have stopped short of demanding his resignation from the race, with Spanberger expressing her disgust yet continuing her support for him as a candidate.
The political fallout from this incident is particularly concerning for Democrats as they approach an election season that includes gubernatorial, lieutenant gubernatorial, and attorney general races. Jones, whose family history is rooted in the political landscape of Virginia—his grandfather was the first Black member of the Norfolk School Board, and his father served in the House of Delegates and as a Circuit Court Judge—now faces scrutiny amidst the growing criticism.
Prior to the scandal, polling indicated a close race between Jones and Miyares, with Jones leading by only six points. In light of the messages, numerous crime victims and advocacy organizations, including Everytown for Gun Safety, have raised alarms regarding Jones’s character. The Virginia Fraternal Order of Police has called for his withdrawal, deeming his conduct unfit for a public official.
The text messages and subsequent fallout were initially uncovered by a national media outlet and have since sparked a broader discussion about violence in political discourse. As this situation unfolds, the implications for Jones’s campaign and the Democratic Party in Virginia remain to be seen.
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Additional Resources
- Virginia Mercury
- Wikipedia: Virginia Governor
- CNN
- Google Search: Jay Jones Virginia Attorney General
- NBC Washington
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Political Discourse
- New York Post
- Google News: Virginia elections 2025
- Fox News
- Google Scholar: Political Violence in Discourse
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