Calls for Jay Jones to Withdraw from AG Race

Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson have urged Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones to step aside in the race.

Vance, in a post, remarked, “The Democratic candidates for the Virginia AG have been fantasizing about killing their political enemies in their private messages. Those who are overreacting to the sombrero memes should join me in calling for this very confused individual to exit the race.”

This comment by Vance references a recent post from President Trump that featured House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries in a sombrero amidst a government shutdown.

Johnson added, “These text messages are undeniably disqualifying for anyone seeking public office. There is no justification for wishing violence against a political opponent and their children.”

He continued, saying that “Jay Jones needs to quickly withdraw his candidacy and take some time to reflect, to avoid further embarrassment for himself and his party.”

Reports indicate that Jones, who left Virginia’s House of Representatives in 2022, exchanged messages with Republican representative Carrie Coiner to express his thoughts about a deceased representative. In one message, he allegedly made an inappropriate reference involving deceased children.

Coiner confirmed this exchange to the Washington Post, stating that Jones commented on the heartbreaking situation surrounding the deaths.

Republican leaders, including Attorney General and Governor Glenn Youngkin, have joined the calls for Jones to withdraw. Despite these demands, some Republicans criticized Democrats like Abigail Spanberger for not asking Jones to resign.

Jones has since issued an apology, taking full responsibility for his comments and expressing that they make him feel “sick.” In an interview, he said, “I’m deeply sorry, deeply,” conveying regret over the situation.