Virginia Democrats are continuing to support Jay Jones, the commonwealth’s attorney general candidate — even after his shocking texts suggesting violence against the former Republican state House speaker, which included threats to his family’s safety. However, some party members are expressing concern that sticking by him might jeopardize their chances in the upcoming November elections.
“Any Democrat running for governor or lieutenant governor in Virginia should consider distancing themselves from him immediately, as his remarks are inexcusable and deplorable,” commented Democratic strategist Brad Bannon in an interview with The Post.
“They should treat Jay Jones like an outcast.”
Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for governor, has voiced disapproval of Jones’ comments, but has not called for him to step down nor withdrawn her support.
“Upon discovering these remarks earlier today, I candidly expressed my disappointment to Jay regarding his statements and messages,” Spanberger stated last week.
“I emphasized that he must take full accountability for his words. As a candidate and the future governor of our commonwealth, I will unequivocally denounce violent rhetoric in politics.”
While other state Democrats have reinforced their backing for Jones, figures like Sen. Tim Kaine have labeled the offensive texts as a momentary misstep.
“These comments are entirely indefensible,” Kaine remarked on CNN Monday night. “I have known Jay Jones for 25 years, and those statements are completely out of character for him. Despite these troubling comments, I continue to support him.”
On the same day, new accusations surfaced, revealing that in 2020, Jones purportedly said that if more police officers were killed in action, “they would eventually stop shooting and killing people.”
Jones has refuted these claims.
“The notion that the current political climate can justify violence is not only dark but absurd — the idea that we should resort to violence if political outcomes aren’t favorable is antithetical to democracy,” stated a former Virginia Democratic state lawmaker who wished to remain anonymous due to the ongoing campaign.
“If people endorse that perspective, they clearly reject democratic principles.”
Even progressive MSNBC host Joe Scarborough remarked on-air that Jones should likely withdraw from the race due to his remarks.
Jones has faced criticism since his alarming text messages sent to Republican delegate Carrie Coyner became public on August 8, 2022.
In those messages, he compared the then-Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert to infamous dictators like Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot.
“Three individuals, two bullets,” one text read, matching Gilbert with the two dictators. “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” Jones elaborated, subsequently stating: “To predict: place Gilbert among the two worst persons you know, and he always ends up deserving those bullets.”
Coyner informed National Review that Jones further imagined Gilbert’s children—whom he labeled “little fascists”—dying in their mother’s arms, thinking that it might compel Gilbert to change his political stance.
The GOP delegate called into question Jones’ qualifications for office — and on this recent Monday, added her own concerns regarding his comments about police officers.
Coyner told the Virginia Scope that during a 2020 conversation concerning qualified immunity, she voiced her concern that police would face fatal consequences without it.
“Well, perhaps if a few of them were to die, that would lead to changes in their conduct with respect to shooting and killing people,” she recounted his response.
Jones, who had previously backed legislation aimed at abolishing qualified immunity during his time in the House of Delegates, denied the accusation, asserting, “I did not make this statement. I have never endorsed harm against law enforcement, period.”
The two latest polls regarding Jones’ contest against Republican incumbent Jason Miyares were conducted prior to the controversy, and both show Jones with a slim six-point advantage over Miyares.
Miyares released a scathing advertisement on Monday concerning the scandal, labeling Jones’ messages as so offensive that it is hard to grasp.
“But this is the truth,” the ad’s narrator states. “Jay Jones has admitted he wished for an opponent’s children to die for a political agenda. Can you trust Jay Jones to safeguard your children?”
Additionally, Virginia’s Fraternal Order of Police sent a letter to the Jones campaign on Monday evening, asserting that his behavior “is unacceptable in our society or democracy,” demanding his immediate withdrawal from the race.
“The members of the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police regard you, Jay Jones, as unfit for the office of Attorney General of Virginia,” wrote Ray Clemons, president of the Virginia FOP. “It is time you take responsibility for your actions and step down from the attorney general race without delay.”
Jones’ campaign has not yet responded to The Post’s request for a comment.
