In August 2022, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones sent a troubling text to a former colleague, expressing a desire to harm Republican lawmaker Todd Gilbert. Jones, who previously served in the Virginia House of Delegates, reportedly told Republican Rep. Carrie Coiner he would shoot Gilbert “two bullets in his head” and then desecrate his grave. This text was highlighted in a report by a news outlet.
Jones remarked about how he felt, saying things like he would visit their funerals out of anger. His comments seemed pretty extreme—almost like he was joking about the potential violence, mentioning that Gilbert should be among the worst people he knew. Coiner, visibly disturbed by Jones’ words, urged him to stop discussing violence, but Jones responded with laughter, saying “lol” and “OK, OK.”
After that exchange, Jones reportedly called Coiner to further elaborate his views, claiming that conservative officials like Gilbert would only change their policies if they experienced suffering. He even suggested that Gilbert’s wife should witness their child dying. In a later text, he defended his earlier comments, insisting that only personal pain motivates people to change. This isn’t just talk; Coiner expressed serious concerns over Jones’ remarks, indicating they disqualified him from public office due to their violent nature.
The Republican Prosecutors Association has called on Jones to withdraw from the upcoming election, emphasizing that such extreme rhetoric contributes to the dangers faced by conservatives. Executive Director Adam Piper stated that this kind of messaging is concerning. Additionally, Jones has faced backlash over his legal issues, specifically citing a past reckless driving incident where he reportedly reduced his community service hours tied to his own political action committee.
Jones has had a rocky political history, having lost a Democratic primary for Attorney General in 2021 but subsequently winning a 2025 primary. Now, as he faces the upcoming election against Republican Jason Miyares, questions about his judgment and fitness for office continue to loom large.
