Virginia AG Candidate Draws Bipartisan Criticism for Violent, Inflammatory Texts

Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate for Virginia Attorney General, faces widespread bipartisan criticism following the resurfacing of inflammatory text messages from 2022. In these messages, Jones expressed a willingness to resort to violence against his GOP opponents, specifically indicating he would “piss on graves” and hypothetically aimed deadly force at then-Republican Speaker Todd Gilbert.

Controversial Messages Spark Outrage

The messages were exchanged between Jones and Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner, presenting a shocking hypothetical scenario where he would choose to shoot Gilbert over notorious historical figures such as Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot. In one message, he said, “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.” These comments were first reported by The National Review.

Accountability and Apologies

After the texts came to light, Jones publicly acknowledged his wrongdoings. He issued a statement to CBS News, apologizing to Speaker Gilbert and his family, expressing deep remorse. He stated, “I am embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry… I cannot take back what I said; I can only take full accountability and offer my sincere apology.”

Responses from Political Figures

• Abigail Spanberger: The Democratic gubernatorial nominee condemned Jones’s remarks, stating, “I spoke frankly with Jay about my disgust.” She emphasized a commitment to denouncing threatening language in politics.
• Winsome Earle-Sears: The Republican lieutenant governor called Jones’s comments “horrible to read” and deemed them disqualifying for someone running for office.
• J.D. Vance: The Vice President echoed the sentiments for accountability, asserting that Jones should withdraw from the race. He stated, “The Democrat candidate for AG in Virginia has been fantasizing about murdering his political opponents in private messages.”

The Political Landscape in Virginia

Virginia has emerged as a competitive battleground state. Currently, Democrats hold a narrow majority in the House of Delegates and the state Senate, while the executive branch is led by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. This incident highlights the intense political tensions as the 2025 elections approach.