Democrat Jay Jones, a candidate for Virginia Attorney General, is facing backlash after text messages surfaced in which he expressed violent fantasies about Republicans. Despite the controversy, Democratic leaders are standing by him as he continues his campaign.
In a 2022 exchange with Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner, Jones suggested it would be a "good thing" if the children of Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert were to die. He stated, "Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head," and confirmed to Coyner that he hoped for harm to Gilbert's children.
Jones also referred to Gilbert's young children as "little fascists," further escalating the situation. These messages have drawn significant criticism from various quarters, prompting calls for accountability.
Despite the disturbing nature of the texts, Jones remains in the race for Attorney General. In 2021, he had previously called for the resignation of a Norfolk police lieutenant for donating to Kyle Rittenhouse’s legal defense fund, indicating a history of strong political statements.
Gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger expressed her disapproval of Jones's comments, stating, "I spoke frankly with Jay about my disgust with what he had said and texted. I made clear to Jay that he must fully take responsibility for his words." She emphasized the need to condemn violent language in politics.
Spanberger, who has also called for Republicans to demand former President Donald Trump’s resignation over the January 6 Capitol riots, highlighted the importance of accountability in political discourse.
Lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Ghazala Hashmi condemned political violence, stating, "Political violence has no place in our country and I condemn it at every turn." She echoed the sentiment that Jones must take accountability for his remarks.
Despite the backlash, local Democratic committees have reaffirmed their support for Jones. The Virginia Beach Democrats released a statement expressing their continued backing, acknowledging his "past mistakes."
A coalition of Democratic committees from various counties, including Accomack, Chesapeake, and Southampton, issued a letter stating, "We say, let those without sin cast the first stone," reinforcing their commitment to Jones amid the controversy.
As the election approaches, the Democratic Party's support for Jones raises questions about the implications of his comments on the broader political landscape in Virginia. Critics argue that such rhetoric undermines the party's stance on civility in politics, while supporters maintain that Jones deserves a chance to address his past statements without losing their backing.
Why it matters
- Jay Jones's violent text messages about Republicans have sparked significant backlash, raising concerns about political discourse in Virginia.
- Democratic leaders continue to support Jones despite the controversy, highlighting a divide within the party on accountability for violent rhetoric.
- The incident may impact the Democratic Party's image and its stance on civility in politics as the election approaches.
What’s next
- Calls for accountability from within the Democratic Party may lead to further discussions on political violence and rhetoric.
- Gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger's disapproval could influence voter sentiment ahead of the election.
- Local Democratic committees reaffirming support for Jones may affect party unity and strategy leading into the election.