Overview
- The Democrat narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Jason Miyares after 2022 texts surfaced in which he fantasized about shooting then–House Speaker Todd Gilbert and referenced harm to his children.
- Jones apologized during an October debate, calling the messages embarrassing and saying he would be accountable for his mistakes.
- Republican officials and conservative commentators denounced his election, arguing the messages demonstrate he is unfit and threatening to political opponents.
- Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he is incredibly concerned about Jones’s ability to serve and described the texts as abhorrent and disqualifying.
- Analysts cited strong Democratic turnout, Abigail Spanberger’s gubernatorial landslide, and late financial support from Democratic groups as factors that helped Jones survive the controversy.