Residents in Winchester, Virginia, expressed divided opinions on the gubernatorial candidates amid Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones' controversial texts referencing violence against a Republican lawmaker. Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears has criticized Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger for not demanding Jones' withdrawal, while Spanberger's campaign has run ads mocking Earle-Sears using a clip that imitates Kamala Harris. The scandal has intensified the race with three weeks until Election Day.
In Winchester, Virginia—home to Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears—voters shared mixed views on the Jay Jones scandal during interviews along the Loudoun Street arcade. Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, sent texts in 2022 comparing then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, to Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot, stating he would use two bullets to shoot Gilbert in the head and expressing hope that harm would come to Gilbert's 'little fascist' children to make the family 'feel pain.' The texts, first reported by National Review about a week and a half before October 13, 2025, have drawn Republican calls for Jones to drop out.
Kevin Callinan from nearby Stephens City called the texts 'horrendous' and said Jones should resign, stating, 'no normal person' would make such comments. Nancy from Winchester agreed Jones 'crossed the line' and praised Earle-Sears as the better candidate, criticizing Spanberger for leaving the matter to voters: 'She said she would leave it up to the voters—which I think if she’s going to be our governor, she definitely needs to take a stand.' Danielle from Winchester said the scandal overshadows Spanberger's otherwise 'amazing' candidacy, predicting it would make her platform 'fall.' J.C. Moore from Berryville found the rhetoric 'distasteful' but compared it to past incidents like Sarah Palin's 'bullseye' map, unsure if Jones warrants 'total banishment.' A visiting couple from Florida urged Jones to drop out and said they would vote for Earle-Sears if eligible.
During the sole gubernatorial debate last week in Norfolk, Earle-Sears repeatedly interrupted Spanberger and pressed her on Jones, asking, 'We’re talking about murder … have you nothing to say about that?' Spanberger called the comments 'absolutely abhorrent' but neither endorsed nor withdrew support for Jones. Earle-Sears later released an ad featuring the silent clip and a social media post accusing Spanberger of being 'OK with what he said.' On October 10, 2025, Earle-Sears issued another ad titled 'trigger' using debate snippets to slam Spanberger's response.
Spanberger's campaign countered with an ad replaying a clip of Earle-Sears shouting 'I am speaking!' four times, portraying her as rude. The footage, from a September 2, 2024, speech, actually shows Earle-Sears imitating Kamala Harris in response to a heckler telling her to 'go back to Jamaica,' her birthplace. Spanberger has used the clip in prior ads to link Earle-Sears to Trump loyalty. Reports noted racist incidents against Earle-Sears, including a deleted Powhatan County Democratic Party cartoon depicting her angrily shrieking, for which they apologized over 'racist overtones,' and a sign at an October event comparing trans bathroom policies to segregation.
Voters also weighed in on related issues. On the transgender bathroom controversies in nearby counties, Callinan accused Spanberger of 'ducking the issue,' while Chris Ladner from Vienna called her 'unserious' and praised Earle-Sears' response. On crime, Callinan and Ladner favored Earle-Sears for her military background and clear moral stance, with Nancy adding appreciation for her religious views. Moore supported Spanberger, citing her federal agent experience and view that crime ties to 'economic inequity and poverty.' University of Lynchburg's David Richards said the scandal may hurt Spanberger slightly but noted high early voting suggests the race is 'baked in.' The attorney general debate between Jones and incumbent Jason Miyares is set for later this week at the University of Richmond.