Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate for Attorney General in Virginia, is experiencing a decline in polling numbers after controversial text messages emerged where he expressed a desire for violence against a Republican lawmaker. The messages, which included disturbing thoughts about the former Republican House Speaker being shot, were highlighted in a New York Post article on October 3.
Recent internal polling for Jones conducted from October 4 to 6 has revealed that he is barely leading incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares by just 1 percentage point, with results showing 46% for Jones and 45% for Miyares. This is a significant shift from earlier polls, such as a Washington Post-Schar Poll and a Christopher Newport University survey, both conducted prior to the text message scandal, which showed him leading by six percentage points.
The newly released statewide survey by Hart Research indicates that the recent negative publicity surrounding Jones’ text messages has adversely impacted his public perception and the overall dynamics of the election.
“Jay has experienced some deterioration in his image; when voters were asked how they felt about him based on recent information, 44% reported feeling LESS favorable, while only 12% said more favorable,” the polling organization noted.
Among Democratic voters, Jones maintains strong support, yet Miyares is slightly ahead by 1 percentage point with independent voters, 42% to 41%. The polling analysis pointed out that the texting controversy has particularly swayed independent voters, though they believe the overall race still rests favorably for the Democrats.
“While Jay’s previous lead has diminished, there’s still a viable road to victory in November,” the Hart Research report emphasized.
Meanwhile, a poll commissioned by the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) has shown Miyares leading Jones by approximately 2 percentage points (45.8% to 43.7%). This follows a previous poll that had shown Jones ahead by a larger margin of 46.4% to 42.5% just a month prior.
The RAGA analysis, which was presented to ABC 7News in Virginia, revealed that Jones’ unfavorability rating has skyrocketed from 19% in September to over 43% following the scandal.
Jones has faced backlash since the release of his jarring text messages sent on August 8, 2022, to Republican delegate Carrie Coyner.
In these messages, Jones controversially compared then-Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert to notorious dictators Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot, declaring, “Three people, two bullets.” He continued, “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” and speculated on the hypothetical deaths of Gilbert’s children as a means to influence his political stance.
Coyner has publicly denounced Jones, stating he is “not qualified” for public office.
Furthermore, Coyner alleged that during a phone call in 2020, Jones made an insensitive remark regarding police, suggesting, “Well, maybe if a few of them died, that they would move on, not shooting people, not killing people,” referencing the controversial topic of qualified immunity.
While Jones has expressed remorse for his unacceptable comments regarding Gilbert, he has denied the allegations made by Coyner.
