A Democratic candidate is facing significant controversy following the revelation of alarming text messages that showed a violent attitude toward a Republican lawmaker. Jay Jones, who is vying for the position of attorney general in Virginia, is under scrutiny after messages surfaced where he compared former House Speaker Todd Gilbert to notorious dictators and expressed a desire to harm him. These texts emerged from 2022 and included remarks suggesting he would use two bullets against Gilbert and made threatening comments regarding Gilbert’s young children.
Campaign finance records reveal that Jones was endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety, a prominent gun control organization, which contributed $200,000 to his campaign in August. Initially, the endorsement was celebrated. John Feinblatt, president of Everytown, praised Jones and his running mate Abigail Spanberger as “gun sense champions,” stating, “Preventing gun violence is a winning issue in Virginia.” However, following the text revelations, pressure has mounted for him to withdraw from the race.
Republicans, including notable figures on the national stage, have condemned Jones’ messages. Calls for his resignation have echoed from various corners, with some labeling the messages as “beyond disqualifying.” Despite the outcry, Virginia Democrats have largely stood by Jones. In response to the controversy, Jones issued an apology, claiming his comments were “embarrassing and shameful,” and he reached out to Gilbert and his family to express his regret personally.
Spanberger, who is also in a heated gubernatorial race, publicly condemned Jones’ remarks but has not yet called for him to step down from his campaign. The response from Everytown for Gun Safety remains unclear, as inquiries about their continued support or potential withdrawal of funds have gone unanswered.
This situation underscores the tension within the Democratic Party in Virginia, particularly as they navigate the fine line between supporting a fellow party member and addressing the severe nature of his comments. The outcome could have significant implications not just for Jones’ campaign, but also for Spanberger’s gubernatorial aspirations as she tries to maintain momentum in one of the most closely watched races in the nation.
"*" indicates required fields
