According to a report from National Review, Jay Jones, a former member of Virginia's House of Delegates now running for attorney general as a Democrat, commented to a colleague on his desire to murder former Speaker of the Virginia House Todd Gilbert, a Republican, and even to see his children killed. In 2022, Jones accidentally texted Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyner, deriding Gilbert for honoring the late state legislator and Democrat Joe Johnston, Jr. Referring to Gilbert and other Republicans eulogizing Johnston, Jones quipped, "If those guys die before me I will go to their funerals to piss on their graves."

"Three people, two bullets," Jones continued. "Gilbert, hitler [sic], and pol pot [sic]. ... Gilbert gets two bullets to the head." The Virginia Democrat added, "Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time." Coyne asked Jones to "please stop," responding, "It really bothers me when you talk about hurting people or wishing death on them."

Jones reportedly called Coyne after the text exchange in an effort to explain himself but continued discussing violence against Gilbert and his family, even saying that Gilbert's wife, Jennifer, should have to watch her children die so that Gilbert would reconsider his political positions, at which point Coyne ended the conversation. When Jones later claimed via text message that he was "simply asking questions," his Republican colleague replied, "You were talking about hopping [sic] jennifer [sic] Gilbert's children would die." Jones wrote, "Yes, I've told you this before. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy." In reference to wishing the Gilberts' children would die, Jones added, "I mean do I think Todd and Jennifer are evil? And that they're breeding little fascists? Yes."

The leaked messages from Jones have horrified conservatives, many of whom have called on Jones to drop out of the AG race. Virginia's incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares (R), who is running against Jones, said in a statement, "With the recent revelations, it's clear Jay Jones has shown he's reckless, biased, and willing to trade away his integrity, disqualifying himself from ever serving as Attorney General. Jay Jones wished for the violent death of a political opponent and then fantasized about that opponent's children dying in their mother's arms." He continued, "And politics aside, one has to be coming from a dark place to advocate the murder of a colleague and their family. This conduct is disqualifying." (Screengrab image: via WTVR CBS 6)

"Prior to this week, this race was about competing views on public safety. Now it's about basic fitness for public office. If you believe it is okay to wish death upon a political opponent—vote for my opponent. If you believe it is worth the death of children to advance your political goal—vote for my opponent. If you want to give a green light to violent lunatics—vote for my opponent," Miyares stated. "As Attorney General, I took an oath to protect every Virginian—regardless of whether they are a Democrat or Republican, whether they like me or dislike me, voted for me or not. My job is to stop violence, to protect innocent lives, and keep people safe. I cannot imagine someone running for this job who advocates for violence."

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) called Jones's comments "violent, disgusting," and "beyond disqualifying." He commented, "There is no ‘Gosh, I'm sorry' here. Jones doesn't have the morality or character to drop out of this race, and his running mates Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, and every elected Democrat in Virginia don't have the courage to call on him to step away from this campaign in disgrace." Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl-Sears (R), who is running against Democrat Abigail Spanberger to succeed Youngkin, said simply, "Jay Jones literally fantasized about killing a man and two children and Abigail Spanberger still doesn't have the guts to tell him to drop out."

House Delegate Geary Higgins (R), who faced death threats ahead of a campaign rally last week, tied Jones's comments to a wider trend of political violence on the Left. "They shot the President. They killed Charlie Kirk. They threatened to kill Kim Taylor. They said they'd kill ME at my next rally, then my kids. Now we learn Jay Jones repeatedly said he wanted to kill Speaker Todd Gilbert," Higgins observed. Referring to Spanberger's campaign slogan, "Let Your Rage Fuel You," Higgins asked, "Is this what ‘Letting Your Rage Fuel You' looks like?"

Even President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation. "Jay Jones, who is running against Jason Miyares, the GREAT Attorney General in Virginia, made SICK and DEMENTED jokes, if they were jokes at all, which were not funny, and that he wrote down and sent around to people, concerning the murdering of a Republican Legislator, his wife, and their children," the president said in a Truth Social post. "Abigail Spanberger, who is running for Governor, is weak and ineffective, and refuses to acknowledge what this Lunatic has done," he added. "Democrat Jay Jones should drop out of the Race, IMMEDIATELY..."

Jones, however, has indicated that he does not intend to drop out of the race. In a statement, the Democrat shared that he had apologized to the Gilbert family for his comments. "Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach. I am embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry," he wrote. However, he continued, "Virginians deserve honest leaders who admit when they are wrong and own up to their mistakes. This was a grave mistake and I will work every day to prove to the people of Virginia that I will fight for them as Attorney General." In another statement, he suggested that coverage of his violent comments was a ploy by Miyares of "dropping smears through Trump-controlled media organizations to assault my character and rescue his desperate campaign."

Virginia Democrats are also refusing to call on Jones to drop out of the race, instead affirming their support for his campaign and touting the claim that Republicans pose a threat to democracy. In a joint statement, Virginia state Senators Louise Lucas (D) Mamie Locke (D) said that there "is no place for political violence or violent rhetoric in our public discourse," but continued, "we will not allow this moment to overshadow the stakes of this election or to distract from the urgent fight we are all in for Virginia's future. The choice before us is far bigger than this mistake." The Democrats praised Jones for his "character, compassion, and vision."

"Virginians cannot afford another four years of Donald Trump and Jason Miyares dragging us backward," Lucas and Locke continued. "Our rights, our democracy, and our future are on the line. Jay Jones has the strength, experience, and values to put Virginians first and stand up to Donald Trump. That is why we remain united in our support for Jay."

The Virginia Beach Democratic Committee (VBDC) also issued a statement that "reaffirms its full support for Jay Jones for Attorney General." The VBDC continued, "Recent press may have spotlighted past mistakes. We say, let those without sin cast the first stone. Jay Jones has taken responsibility, apologized, and shown he is committed to serving with integrity and accountability that his public record already shows." The group added, "The VBDC is calling on all Virginians to line up behind Jay Jones. Together, in November we will defend democracy..."

Spanberger, Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, incumbent House Speaker Don Scott (D), state Senator Scott Surovell (D), and other Democrats have condemned Jones' "violent rhetoric" but have refused to call on the candidate to discontinue his campaign. Instead, Spanberger and Hashmi will appear alongside Jones on next month's ballot. Jones's campaign website currently boasts 134 endorsements from elected officials, including US congressmen, former governors, general assemblymembers, former general assemblymembers, and a host of local elected officials. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

S.A. McCarthy serves as a news writer at The Washington Stand.

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