Virginia Democrat Attorney General candidate Jay Jones is under scrutiny after reports surfaced detailing his conversations in which he fantasized about assassinating Republican Todd Gilbert, the former state House Speaker. Jones reportedly expressed a desire for Gilbert's children to die, raising concerns about the implications of such rhetoric in political discourse.
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The revelations come amid a contentious election cycle in Virginia, where Jones is challenging incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares. The comments were made in text messages to a fellow legislator, Carrie Coyner, in August 2022, shortly after Jones resigned from the House of Delegates.
Coyner described the messages as disturbing and disqualifying for anyone seeking public office. She stated, "It really bothers me when you talk about hurting people or wishing death on them. It isn’t ok. No matter who they are."
In the texts, Jones expressed disdain for Gilbert and made violent hypotheticals, suggesting he would prefer to shoot Gilbert over historical dictators like Pol Pot and Adolf Hitler. He wrote, "Gilbert gets two bullets to the head," indicating a troubling mindset regarding political opposition.
The context of these messages has drawn criticism from various quarters, particularly from Republican lawmakers. Del. Kim Taylor, who recently received a death threat, linked Jones' comments to a broader pattern of violent rhetoric in politics, particularly following remarks made by Democrat gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, who urged her supporters to "let your rage fuel you."
Taylor stated, "Violent rhetoric is not harmless; it puts real people in real danger." She emphasized that such language can lead to real-world consequences, as evidenced by threats made against her and others.
In response to the backlash, Jones initially downplayed the severity of his comments, attributing them to a misunderstanding and claiming he was merely "asking questions." However, after further criticism, he issued a follow-up statement expressing regret and taking responsibility for his actions. "Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach," he said, adding that he reached out to Gilbert and his family to apologize.
Jones' comments have prompted calls for him to withdraw from the race. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican lieutenant governor candidate, stated, "This is horrible to read and should be wholly disqualifying of someone running for an office that protects the people of Virginia."
The Republican Attorneys General Association echoed this sentiment, with chairman Kris Kobach stating, "There is no place for political violence, including joking about it — especially from an elected official. Jay Jones should drop out of the Attorney General’s race."
Despite the mounting pressure, Jones has not rescinded his candidacy. His campaign has not provided an immediate response to the latest developments, but he has framed the controversy as a politically motivated attack by Republicans. He stated, "This race is about whether Trump can control Virginia or Virginians control Virginia."
As the election approaches, the implications of Jones' comments may resonate beyond his campaign, reflecting broader concerns about political discourse and violence in American politics.
Why it matters
- Jay Jones' violent rhetoric raises serious concerns about political discourse and the normalization of threats in Virginia's election cycle.
- The backlash against Jones highlights a growing intolerance for violent language among both parties, reflecting broader societal issues.
- Calls for Jones to withdraw from the race underscore the potential impact of his comments on voter sentiment and political accountability.
What’s next
- Jones faces increasing pressure to withdraw from the Attorney General race amid calls from Republican leaders.
- The Virginia election is approaching, with implications for both parties regarding political rhetoric and violence.
- Investigations into the context of Jones' comments may influence future political discourse and candidate behavior.