Virginia AG Candidate Jay Jones Faces Backlash Over Controversial Texts

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has expressed strong disapproval of Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones after a series of inflammatory texts regarding a former House Speaker came to light. Youngkin called for Jones’s withdrawal from the race, suggesting that his comments are unbecoming of someone seeking public office.

Recently, a conversation from August 2022 was revealed, involving Jones and fellow lawmaker Carrie Coiner. In these texts, Jones made alarming references to Todd Gilbert, a former speaker, saying, “Three, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, and Polpot. Gilbert gets two bullets in his head.” Such comments have sparked outrage across the political spectrum.

Youngkin criticized this rhetoric as “violent and disgusting,” emphasizing that it undermines the integrity expected of elected officials. “I read those words again,” he noted. “There’s no ‘Gosh, sorry’ here. Jones lacks the character to continue in this race.” He also pointed out that fellow Democrats, including Abigail Spanberger, should distance themselves from Jones entirely.

A spokesperson for Coiner’s campaign echoed these sentiments, asserting that Jones’s remarks were intrusive and disqualifying for anyone aspiring to serve the public. They stated, “Jay Jones joked about violence against his fellow representatives.” This is indeed troubling when considering a candidate’s responsibility toward safety and decorum.

Currently, Jones is running against Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares. Following the controversy, the Republican Attorney General’s Association (RAGA) has urged Jones to quickly step back from the campaign due to the “abominable” nature of his text messages.

RAGA Chairman Chris Kobach stated, “There is no place for political violence, especially in jest, among elected officials. Jones should withdraw from the race; his comments are unacceptable for anyone looking to represent law enforcement.”

In response to the backlash, Jones issued a public apology, taking full responsibility for his actions. “Reading those words made me sick to my stomach,” he said. “I’m embarrassed and I reached out to apologize directly to Gilbert and his family. I can’t take back what I said.”

Jones concluded by stating that Virginians deserve a leader willing to admit faults and learn from mistakes, aiming to regain the trust of the public as he continues in his campaign.