Democratic leaders in Virginia are not calling for state attorney general candidate Jay Jones to leave the race after the publication of 2022 text messages in which he discussed violence against Republican officials, including then–House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
The messages were first reported by the National Review and have since been covered by multiple outlets, including the Associated Press and local stations in Richmond and Hampton Roads.
In a text exchange with a colleague in 2022, Jones wrote that he hoped Gilbert’s children would die and suggested such grief might be “a good thing” if it advanced his politics, according to reporting by the New York Post and other outlets.
Additional messages compared Gilbert to historical dictators and referenced shootings.
After the texts became public, Jones apologized and sought to contain the fallout as the November election approaches.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger criticized Jones’s language but did not call for him to step aside.
“I will always condemn violent language in our politics,” Spanberger said, adding that she had spoken “frankly” with him after the texts surfaced.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
Local party organizations signaled continued support.
The Virginia Beach Democratic Committee issued a statement urging voters to stand with the ticket.
“We are lined up, ten toes down, ready to organize, mobilize and deliver voters for Jay and our entire Democratic ticket,” the statement read.
“Recent press may have spotlighted past mistakes. We say, let those without sin cast the first stone. Jay Jones has taken responsibility, apologized and shown he is committed to serving with integrity and accountability that his public record already shows.”
Seriously—how did we get here?
How could @BlueVirginia— or anyone—call for Democrats to unify behind Jay Jones after what he said? This isn’t a lapse in judgment or a careless text. It’s a window into something darker—a man who has lost his humanity. A man with a soul so warped… pic.twitter.com/sz6uRW4Czu
— Elicia Brand #IStandWithIsrael. (@EliciaBrand) October 5, 2025
Republican statewide leaders condemned the messages and said Jones should not hold the office of attorney general. “Jay Jones has shown he’s reckless, biased, and willing to trade away his integrity,” Attorney General Jason Miyares wrote in an open letter to Virginians posted late Saturday.
“This conduct is disqualifying.” Miyares continued: “If you believe it is okay to wish death upon a political opponent, vote for my opponent. If you believe it is worth the death of children to advance your political goals, vote for my opponent. If you want to give a green light to violent lunatics, vote for my opponent.” He added that he would protect every Virginian, “regardless of whether they are a Democrat or Republican,” and said he “cannot imagine someone running for this job who advocates for violence.”
The Attorney General is Virginia’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer. That authority must always be exercised with neutrality, integrity, and character because that’s the only way every Virginian can trust the system meant to protect them. With the recent revelations, it’s clear Jay… pic.twitter.com/GkEOfoJKDi
— Jason Miyares (@JasonMiyaresVA) October 4, 2025
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, speaking on Oct. 4, also called for accountability. “The enemy is among us, devouring us in Virginia and in America today,” Earle-Sears said.
“Jay Jones fantasizes about murdered little children lying lifeless in their mother’s arms. And yet he runs for attorney general, our chief law enforcement officer.”
WINSOME EARLE-SEARS says Virginia Democratic AG nominee Jay Jones fantasized “about murdered little children lying lifeless in their mothers’ arms” after his violent 2022 texts about a then-Republican lawmaker leak. pic.twitter.com/YZOhB0iWvY
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 5, 2025
Jones has acknowledged the messages and apologized publicly.
He called the remarks “embarrassing and shameful,” and said he had contacted Gilbert and his family to apologize personally.
New statement from Jay Jones ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/UsWLKC3feE
— Nick Minock (@NickMinock) October 4, 2025
Reporting this weekend indicates that Jones has not suspended his campaign and continues to seek support ahead of Election Day.
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin urged Jones to end his campaign.
“This violent, disgusting rhetoric targeted at an elected official and his children is beyond disqualifying,” Youngkin said on X on Saturday morning.
This violent, disgusting rhetoric targeted at an elected official and his children is beyond disqualifying.
Jay Jones said that “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head” and then hoped his children would die. Read those words again.
There is no “gosh, I’m sorry” here. Jones… https://t.co/kOJD0cexlh
— Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) October 4, 2025
The governor’s statement followed additional coverage of the texts by state and national outlets and added pressure on Democrats to respond.
As of Sunday, no prominent Democratic figures were calling on Jones to withdraw from the race.
Spanberger and other Democrats criticized the language while emphasizing a broader rejection of violent rhetoric, and local committees pointed to Jones’s apology.
The campaign developments arrive amid a high-intensity election cycle in Virginia, where statewide offices, including attorney general, will be decided in November.
The original messages, described in reports as part of a 2022 conversation with a state legislator, included references to shooting Gilbert and comments about his family.
Those details have been central to Republican attacks and to calls from GOP officials for Jones to leave the race.
Jones has said he takes responsibility for the texts and has attempted to refocus his campaign on policy issues and his record in public office.
The attorney general serves as Virginia’s chief law enforcement officer, with responsibilities that include representing the Commonwealth in legal matters, working with local prosecutors, and coordinating with federal and state agencies on public safety.
With early voting underway, both campaigns have escalated their outreach.
Miyares has used his official platform and campaign channels to argue that the content of the texts disqualifies his opponent.
Jones’s campaign has emphasized his apology and continued to court Democratic and independent voters who may be weighing whether the statements should end his bid.
Voters will decide the contest in early November.
In the meantime, party leaders, advocacy groups, and law enforcement officials are monitoring the campaign’s next steps as the fallout from the texts continues to shape the attorney general race.
