The political landscape in Virginia has been rocked by a series of incendiary text messages sent by Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, which have recently come to light. Jones, who served two terms in the Virginia House of Delegates, is now at the center of a controversy that could have significant ramifications for his political future.
"Jay Jones wished violence on the children of a colleague and joked about shooting Todd Gilbert. It’s disgusting and unbecoming of any public official." - Carrie Coyner
On August 8, 2022, Jones sent alarming messages to Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyner early in the morning. In these messages, he expressed violent fantasies involving Todd Gilbert, the GOP House Speaker at the time. One text disturbingly read, “Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot… Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.” Another message ominously stated, “If those guys die before me… I will go to their funerals to piss on their graves.”
Coyner was appalled by the messages and immediately retorted, urging Jones to stop. She expressed her discomfort, saying, “Jay. Please stop. It really bothers me when you talk about hurting people or wishing death on them.” Despite the pushback, Jones persisted with his rhetoric during a subsequent phone call, allegedly stating he hoped Gilbert’s children would perish. Coyner later recounted the conversation, highlighting Jones's disturbing remarks about Gilbert’s family, where he insinuated they were “breeding little fascists.”
The texts and subsequent discourse have drawn intense criticism from colleagues and the public alike. Coyner, who shared the messages with the National Review, condemned Jones's behavior as disqualifying for anyone seeking public office. The scandal has cast a shadow over what was anticipated to be a formidable challenge to the incumbent attorney general, Jason Miyares.
In response to the backlash, Jones initially attempted to deflect blame onto Miyares, accusing him of orchestrating a smear campaign with media outlets he claimed were controlled by President Trump. However, as the gravity of his words sank in, Jones shifted his stance, issuing a formal apology. He expressed deep remorse, stating, “Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach. I am embarrassed, ashamed and sorry.”
Adding to the political drama, Winsome Earle-Sears, a prominent figure in Virginia politics, tweeted a forceful critique of Abigail Spanberger’s silence on the matter, suggesting that Spanberger lacked the courage to demand Jones's exit from the race.
This incident not only raises questions about the character and judgment of a potential attorney general but also underscores the increasingly toxic nature of political discourse. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of civility and respect in public communication, especially among those who aspire to hold positions of power and influence.
