Senate Reactions to Virginia AG Candidate’s Violent Texts
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and other Democratic leaders are refraining from commenting on whether Jay Jones, the Virginia Democratic attorney general candidate, should resign following the emergence of violent text messages he sent, apparently expressing a desire to kill his Republican opponent.
The attorney general race, along with the gubernatorial contest, has been further complicated by Jones’ history of violent remarks, including a chilling comment about wanting to shoot former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
Some within the Democratic Party, like gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, have condemned Jones’ messages. However, Sanders avoided questions about the texts from Fox News Digital, simply walking away without providing a response.
Similarly, Sen. Angela Allsbrooks (D-Md.) also sidestepped inquiries regarding Jones, entering an elevator with her back to reporters.
Democrats Hesitant to Address Jones’ Controversy
Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) offered some insight, revealing his unfavorable view of the situation, although he admitted he couldn’t recall the specifics. He said, “What I saw was absolutely awful.” Kim emphasized the need for high standards among elected officials, particularly in an era when political violence is prevalent.
When pressed about whether Jones should withdraw from the race, Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) simply stated, “I can’t. I have to go.”
Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) echoed this evasiveness, acknowledging that she was being briefed but didn’t provide further commentary on Jones’ situation.
In one text, Jones allegedly wrote, “Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets in the head,” creating a disturbing image of his perspective. He also mentioned that the grief of losing Gilbert’s children could be beneficial for political progress.
Democratic Responses Varied
Amid the fallout, various Democrats approached the controversy with caution. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) was noncommittal when asked if Jones should exit the race, simply stating he wasn’t thinking about it. Meanwhile, prominent figures like Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) remarked that he didn’t have time to discuss the matter and continued on his way.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) remarked on the unusual silence from Democratic senators, especially considering the rising political violence. He stated, “In my opinion, someone who advocates killing a child because he disagrees politically with his father is clearly unfit for public office.” Cruz expressed disappointment that no Democrat had the courage to address the issue publicly.
