Virginia AG candidate Jay Jones faces scrutiny over violent texts
Resurfaced 2022 text messages from Democratic Virginia attorney general candidate Jerrauld 'Jay' Jones, depicting the murder of former House Speaker Todd Gilbert and harm to his children, have sparked widespread controversy. While Republicans demand Jones drop out of the race, many Democrats have remained silent or continued their support. Jones has apologized for the remarks, calling them embarrassing and shameful.
In 2022, Jay Jones, then a Democratic state delegate from Norfolk, Virginia, sent private text messages to Republican Del. Carrie Coyner that fantasized about violence against political opponents. The messages, obtained by outlets including Fox News Digital and National Review, compared former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, to dictators Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot. Jones wrote, 'Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,' and added, 'Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time.' He also expressed hope that Gilbert's young children—aged two and five at the time—would die, stating the grief might be 'a good thing' if it advanced his politics, and remarked he wanted to 'piss on the graves' of opponents. The texts surfaced amid frustration over a Republican eulogy for a Democratic colleague.
Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, apologized after the messages emerged in early October 2025, describing them as 'embarrassing and shameful' and saying he had reached out to Gilbert and his family. A separate report alleged Jones suggested that more police deaths could reduce civilian shootings, though he denied making those comments. Jones also faces questions over a 2023 reckless driving charge for speeding at 116 mph on Interstate 64 and logging 1,000 hours of community service without time records.
Republican leaders swiftly condemned the texts. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin called for Jones to 'step away in disgrace.' Attorney General Jason Miyares, Jones' opponent, described the remarks as troubling for the 'Virginia Way' of bipartisan civility in Richmond, saying, 'This election now is really a referendum on the Virginia Way. Is it now dead?' Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears released a 'Two Bullets' ad criticizing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger for not demanding Jones' ouster. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, labeled the Democratic response a 'staggering silence,' adding, 'The notion that someone advocating for the murder of children... is manifestly unsuitable for public office.' President Donald Trump also urged Jones to drop out.
Democratic reactions have been mixed. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., avoided questions on whether Jones should withdraw despite his campaign's $25,000 donation to Jones in August 2025 and a joint ActBlue fundraising page; Warner previously called the texts 'appalling' and inconsistent with the person he knows. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., reaffirmed support, saying, 'The comments are completely indefensible... But I’ve known Jay Jones for 25 years, and those comments are very much out of character for him. I’m still supporting Jay Jones.' Other senators, including Ron Wyden, D-Ore. ('horrifying'), Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. ('not familiar'), Chris Coons, D-Del., and Peter Welch, D-Vt., offered limited or no comment. Rep. Yevgeny Vindman, D-Va., endorsed Jones on X, urging votes against 'Republican chaos,' while House candidate Melody Cartwright declared, 'I stand with [Jay Jones] period.' Spanberger has not called for Jones to exit the race, drawing criticism for previously demanding former Gov. Ralph Northam's resignation over a blackface scandal.
The controversy, unfolding just weeks before Virginia's November 2025 elections, highlights tensions over political violence amid recent national incidents, with no prominent Democrats rescinding endorsements as of October 7, 2025.