Democratic U.S. Senators have largely refrained from calling for Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones to withdraw from the race following the emergence of text messages in which he fantasized about assassinating Republican Todd Gilbert.
Explainer Youngkin Orders Criminal Investigation Into Alleged Abortion Funding in Virginia Schools
Jones, who is running for the position in the upcoming Virginia elections, reportedly sent messages in 2022 suggesting violent scenarios involving Gilbert, including a hypothetical situation where Gilbert would receive both bullets in a choice between him and historical figures like Hitler and Pol Pot. These messages were first reported by National Review on October 6, 2025.
In a follow-up conversation with a Republican state lawmaker, Jones allegedly expressed a wish that Gilbert's wife could witness her child die in her arms to influence Gilbert's political views.
The Federalist reached out to all Senate Democrats to inquire if they would call for Jones to step down. Only Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia responded, criticizing Jones' remarks but stopping short of demanding his resignation. "There is nothing that can justify these indefensible words, and they are contrary to all I’ve known about Jay Jones for decades," Kaine said.
There is nothing that can justify these indefensible words, and they are contrary to all I’ve known about Jay Jones for decades,
Other Virginia Democrats, including Senator Mark Warner, described Jones' comments as "appalling" but also did not call for him to withdraw. Warner stated that the remarks were "inconsistent with the person I’ve known."
Virginia State Senator Scott Surovell condemned Jones' comments as a "serious lapse in judgment" and stated that Jones owes an apology to Virginians and the Gilbert family. However, Surovell did not call for Jones to exit the race.
Abigail Spanberger, a Democratic candidate for governor, also criticized Jones but maintained her support for him. Meanwhile, local Democratic committees, including the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee, reaffirmed their support for Jones.
In response to the backlash, Jones issued a statement expressing regret over the texts but did not initially apologize to Gilbert or his family. He later claimed to take full responsibility for his actions and issued an apology after further criticism.
Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears labeled Jones' comments as "wholly disqualifying" for someone seeking a position that protects the public.
Calls for Jones to withdraw have also come from notable figures including former President Donald Trump and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who described the remarks as "beyond disqualifying."
Even commentators on MSNBC's Morning Joe suggested that pressure would mount on Spanberger and the Democratic Party to ask Jones to step down, with one stating, "This guy should do everyone a favor … and step out of the race."
This guy should do everyone a favor … and step out of the race.
Why it matters
- Jay Jones' violent text messages raise serious concerns about his fitness for office, prompting criticism from both parties.
- Democratic leaders' reluctance to call for Jones' withdrawal highlights divisions within the party regarding accountability.
- The incident may impact the upcoming Virginia elections, influencing voter perceptions of Democratic candidates.
What’s next
- Calls for Jones to withdraw continue from prominent figures, increasing pressure on Democratic leaders.
- Virginia Democrats face a deadline to address the controversy as the election approaches, potentially affecting campaign strategies.
- Jones has issued a statement of regret, but further actions or apologies may be necessary to quell backlash.