Virginia AG Candidate Jay Jones Faces Calls to Quit After Violent Texts

Virginia Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones is facing bipartisan calls to drop out of the race after private text messages surfaced in which he fantasized about shooting former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert and wished harm on Gilbert's children. The messages, sent in 2022 to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner, included Jones saying Gilbert would "get two bullets to the head" and expressing hope that Gilbert's wife would watch their children die. Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Vice President JD Vance strongly condemned the messages and demanded Jones withdraw, labeling the remarks as "disqualifying" and "disgusting." Jones apologized and took responsibility for the texts, claiming he reached out personally to Gilbert and his family, but his apology was rejected by some officials including Attorney General Jason Miyares. Despite the scandal, some Democrats have only called for an apology and have not demanded Jones exit the race, though his name remains on ballots due to early voting already underway. The controversy has drawn sharp criticism across party lines and raised concerns about political violence rhetoric in Virginia's election.