In a significant turn of events, Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate for attorney general in Virginia, has publicly apologized for a series of text messages from 2022 that have drawn widespread condemnation. The messages, which suggested that a prominent Republican, Todd Gilbert, should receive “two bullets to the head,” have placed Jones on the defensive as he navigates a challenging campaign for the upcoming November general election.
As early voting kicks off in Virginia, the fallout from the controversial texts has intensified. Jones' campaign has not disputed the authenticity of the messages, which were initially reported by The National Review. In his apology, Jones took “full responsibility for my actions,” aiming to address the backlash he has faced from both sides of the political aisle.
At the time of the text exchange, Todd Gilbert was serving as the speaker of Virginia’s House of Delegates, although he has since transitioned to a role as a federal prosecutor. The contents of Jones' messages sparked bipartisan outrage, leading to a fierce response from his Republican opponent, Jason Miyares, who is vying to retain his position as Virginia’s top prosecutor.
Miayres criticized Jones sharply, questioning his suitability for the attorney general role. “You have to be coming from an incredibly dark place to say what you said,” Miyares remarked to reporters, emphasizing the weight of the words exchanged between colleagues. He added, “I have met quietly one-on-one with victims. There is no cry like the cry of a mother that lost her child. None.”
The revelation of these text messages has significantly altered the dynamics of the campaign, which both parties are closely monitoring, especially as they prepare for next year’s midterm elections. The incident also underscores the rising concerns of political violence in the United States, following recent high-profile cases of violence against political figures.
Prominent Democrats in Virginia have not held back in their criticism of Jones. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for governor, stated that she expressed her “disgust” over the text messages directly to Jones. She emphasized the need for politicians to take full responsibility for their words, vowing to “always condemn violent language in our politics.”
Ghazala Hashmi, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “political violence has no place in our country and I condemn it at every turn.” Hashmi called for higher standards from leaders and constituents alike, reinforcing the necessity for respectful discourse in political arenas.
The Republican Attorneys General Association has also weighed in, demanding that Jones withdraw from the campaign due to his “abhorrent” comments. The association's chairman, Kris Kobach, the Attorney General of Kansas, stated, “There is no place for political violence, including joking about it – especially from an elected official.”
In the text messages, Jones reportedly wrote: “Three people two bullets ... Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot ... Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.” His conversation partner, Delegate Carrie Coyner, responded with concern, urging Jones to stop. The exchange ended with Jones humorously responding, “Lol ... Ok, ok.”
In his public statement, Jones expressed remorse, stating, “Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach. I am embarrassed, ashamed and sorry.” He disclosed that he has reached out directly to Todd Gilbert to offer his sincere apologies to him and his family, asserting, “I cannot take back what I said; I can only take full accountability and offer my sincere apology.”
This incident marks a critical moment in Virginia's political landscape as the November elections approach, highlighting the ongoing need for accountability and decorum in political discourse.
