Virginia Attorney General Candidate Jay Jones Faces Backlash Over Violent Text Messages

Introduction

Virginia’s Democratic candidate for attorney general, Jay Jones, is under intense scrutiny after the recent release of three-year-old text messages. In these messages, Jones expressed violent fantasies regarding shooting Todd Gilbert, the former Virginia House Speaker. This incident has raised significant concerns ahead of the impending election.

Background of the Controversy

• Context of the Messages: The text messages were sent in August 2022 to Republican delegate Carrie Coyner. They resurfaced following the death of former state legislator Joe Johnson Jr., evoking a wave of tributes from GOP members, including Gilbert.
• Jones’s Reaction: After witnessing the tributes, Jones revealed his disdain, indicating that his anger was related to allegations of Johnson leaking information to Republicans.

Details of the Text Messages

The tone of the text messages escalated rapidly:

• Inflammatory Remarks: “If those guys die before me, I will go to their funerals to piss on their graves.”
• Direct Threat: Jones stated: “Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”

Jones acknowledged that he may have sent some messages to Coyner by mistake but insisted that his comments were inappropriate and exaggerated.

Coyner’s Attempt to De-Escalate

Carrie Coyner reportedly tried to calm the situation by texting, “Jay. Please stop.” Even after a brief acknowledgment from Jones, he continued with his inflammatory rhetoric, making further derogatory remarks regarding Gilbert’s family, even suggesting they were “breeding little fascists.”

Quotes from Key Figures

• Coyner’s Statement: “What he said was not just disturbing but disqualifying for anyone who wants to seek public office… It’s disgusting and unbecoming of any public official.”
• Gubernatorial Candidate’s Response: Abigail Spanberger noted her shock, stating that she expressed her “disgust” over Jones’s words and emphasized, “I will always condemn violent language in our politics.”

Jones’s Defense

When approached for comment, Jay Jones did not deny the content of the messages but attempted to redirect the narrative. He claimed the issue was part of a smear campaign orchestrated by his political rival, Jason Miyares. He said:

“Like all people, I’ve sent text messages that I regret, and I believe that violent rhetoric has no place in our politics… Jason Miyares is dropping smears through Trump-controlled media organizations to assault my character and rescue his desperate campaign.”

Implications Ahead of the Election

This controversy comes just a month before the election, amplifying existing concerns about Jones, such as:

• Reckless Driving Conviction: Jones has a history of reckless driving that could further impact his credentials.
• Lack of Prosecutorial Experience: Questions about his qualifications for the role of attorney general persist among voters.

Upcoming Election Significance

Virginia, along with New Jersey, will host gubernatorial contests next month, providing an early indicator of voter mood ahead of the 2024 midterm elections.

Conclusion

The recent revelations surrounding Jay Jones underscore the heightened tensions in Virginia’s political landscape. As voters head to the polls, the fallout from these violent text messages may play a pivotal role in shaping the election

For more information about Virginia’s attorney general race, visit National Review and stay updated on the latest developments.