Virginians Elect Jay Jones as AG Despite Controversial Texts

UPDATE: Virginians have just elected Democrat Jay Jones as their new Attorney General, defying controversy over recently surfaced text messages in which he fantasized about murdering Republican lawmakers and their children. The decision was confirmed shortly after polls closed, with Decision Desk HQ projecting Jones’s victory over incumbent Republican Jason Miyares.

In a shocking turn of events, Jones’s election comes amidst public outrage following the release of texts from August 2022, where he discussed hypothetically shooting then-Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert. In these messages, Jones remarked, “Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” as reported by the National Review. His chilling rhetoric continued, expressing a desire for the children of his political adversaries to perish.

The disturbing messages have drawn condemnation from Republican leaders, including Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who stated, “This violent, disgusting rhetoric targeted at an elected official and his children is beyond disqualifying.” Despite these allegations, Jones did not deny sending the messages and chose not to apologize, instead focusing on other campaign issues.

The controversy escalated following the political assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, intensifying calls for Jones to withdraw from the race. Republicans urged Democratic nominee for governor Abigail Spanberger to demand his exit, but she and other Democratic leaders remained silent on the issue.

Despite the backlash, Virginia voters ultimately chose Jones, signaling a significant shift in the commonwealth’s political landscape. The election results, confirmed just after 8:26 PM ET, reflect a decisive moment for Democrats in a state where contentious political discourse has become commonplace.

Looking ahead, Jones’s victory raises questions about the future of political rhetoric in Virginia and its impact on bipartisan relations. As the new Attorney General, Jones will face scrutiny not just for his policies, but for his past statements. Voters and political analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he navigates his role amid ongoing controversies.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it unfolds.