UPDATE: Virginians have just elected Jay Jones as attorney general, despite shocking revelations about his past communications. Text messages surfaced where Jones fantasized about murdering Republican lawmakers and their children, yet this did not deter voters from choosing him as the commonwealth’s top law enforcement officer.
Decision Desk HQ projected Jones’s victory over incumbent Republican Jason Miyares shortly after the polls closed on November 7, 2023. The election results were confirmed at 8:26 PM ET, with Jones securing a significant lead despite the backlash from his controversial remarks.
In August 2022, Jones exchanged disturbing texts with Republican state delegate Carrie Coyner, where he expressed a desire to shoot then–Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert. “Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot,” Jones wrote, adding, “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.” Coyner’s response, “Jay. Please stop,” highlighted the alarming nature of their conversation.
The messages further included a shocking line where Jones implied that the children of his political rivals should die. This rhetoric has drawn widespread condemnation, with Governor Glenn Youngkin stating that such violent thoughts are “beyond disqualifying.” Youngkin emphasized, “There is no ‘gosh, I’m sorry’ here,” calling for accountability amidst the outrage.
Despite the intense scrutiny and calls for him to withdraw from the race, Jones has not denied the authenticity of the texts and has refrained from issuing an apology. His remarks surfaced just weeks after the political assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, raising concerns about political violence.
Many Republican leaders have demanded that Democratic nominee for governor Abigail Spanberger condemn Jones’s statements and urge him to step down. However, Spanberger and other Democratic leaders have not taken action against Jones, allowing him to continue his campaign.
Ultimately, Virginia voters have chosen Jones as their attorney general, revealing a complex political landscape where divisive rhetoric did not prevent his election. As the state moves forward, the implications of Jones’s comments and the response from both parties will be closely monitored.
WHAT’S NEXT: With Jones now in office, the focus will shift to how he addresses his controversial past and the reaction from both Democratic and Republican factions in Virginia. Observers will be watching for potential fallout from his election and whether any further actions will arise from his past statements.
