Virginia Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Ghazala Hashmi are standing by their support for Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, despite his recent controversial comments regarding violence against a Republican lawmaker.
The situation arose following a report from National Review that disclosed text messages sent by Jones in 2022 to Republican state legislator Todd Gilbert. In these messages, Jones expressed a hypothetical scenario in which he mused about assassinating Gilbert, stating, "Gilbert gets two bullets to the head," while also suggesting that he wished Gilbert's wife could witness the death of their child to influence his political views.
Jones confirmed the authenticity of the messages and initially stated he regretted sending them, asserting that "violent rhetoric has no place in our politics." However, he later shifted focus to attacking Republicans without directly apologizing to Gilbert and his family.
In a follow-up statement, Jones took full responsibility for his actions and issued an apology to Gilbert and his family. Despite this, the comments have drawn significant backlash, prompting Spanberger and Hashmi to condemn Jones's remarks.
Spanberger, a former congresswoman, and Hashmi, a candidate for lieutenant governor, both expressed disapproval of Jones's comments but have not rescinded their endorsements of his campaign. Spanberger's campaign did not respond to inquiries about whether she plans to withdraw her support or if she regrets voting for Jones in early voting last month.
Hashmi's campaign press secretary, Ava Pitruzzello, also did not address questions regarding her support for Jones. Instead, she provided a statement from Hashmi, which read, "I have been very clear that political violence has no place in our country, and I condemn it at every turn. Jay must take accountability for the pain that his words have caused. We must demand better of our leaders and of each other."
The Virginia Beach Democratic Committee has also reaffirmed its support for Jones, stating, "We are lined up, ten toes down, ready to organize, mobilize and deliver voters for Jay and our entire Democratic ticket. 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."
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party regarding the acceptance of candidates who have made controversial statements. The refusal of Spanberger and Hashmi to withdraw their endorsements reflects a broader trend among some Democrats to maintain unity in the face of internal challenges.
As the election approaches, the implications of Jones's comments and the responses from his supporters could play a significant role in shaping voter perceptions and turnout in the upcoming election.
Why it matters
- Democratic leaders Spanberger and Hashmi maintain support for Jones despite his violent comments, indicating a struggle for party unity.
- Jones's controversial remarks have sparked backlash, raising questions about accountability and the acceptance of candidates with problematic histories.
- The incident underscores tensions within the Democratic Party as it navigates controversial figures ahead of the election.
What’s next
- Jones has issued an apology, but the impact of his comments on voter perceptions remains to be seen as the election approaches.
- Spanberger and Hashmi's continued support may influence their political futures and the Democratic Party's cohesion in Virginia.