Democrat gubernatorial candidate complains about having to denounce Jay Jones’ disturbing texts

Democratic Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger complained on Tuesday about having to answer for Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones’ text messages that were leaked in early October.

The leaked text messages from 2022 showed Jones telling a colleague that he would give former Republican Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert “two bullets to the head” and urinate on his grave, while he also fantasized about his two children dying in their mother’s arms. Spanberger said during an interview on “Katie Couric” that she is “deeply unhappy” about having to talk about Jones’ text messages rather than her policy plans.

“We are three weeks away from an election in Virginia. I have worked tirelessly for two years running for this office. I announced in November 2023. The fact that I, and I say this with all due respect because I think it’s a fair thing for you to ask me about, the fact that I have to spend even a moment’s time talking about somebody else’s text message from years ago rather than what I want to do as governor, is something that I am deeply unhappy about,” Spanberger said.

“The fact that I can’t spend every minute of the day talking about the plans that I have built out, I mean, not to be too hokey about it, but like my multiple pages of plans, my affordability plan, my education plan, my growing our economy plan because of the four choices of another candidate is something that really clouds my view of all of it,” she continued. 

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During the gubernatorial debate, Spanberger called Jones’ remarks “abhorrent,” but refused to rescind her endorsement of him. She also admitted to voting for Jones when early voting began.

Several Democrats have continued supporting Jones or have refused to call on him to drop out. Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said that he would continue to support Jones after 25 years of knowing him. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to say whether Jones should drop out and said he is “a better person to be attorney general” during an appearance on CNN’s “Inside Politics.”

Jones issued an apology for the texts on Oct. 5, saying the messages made him “sick to [his] stomach.”

Jones’ opponent, Republican Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, said on “America’s Newsroom” that Jones has proven himself unworthy of being the top prosecutor since he would be required to be an attorney general for all Virginians, regardless of ideology. Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin called on Jones to drop out and called his statements “beyond disqualifying.”

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