Overview

• National Review published screenshots of Jones’s 2022 texts, reviewed by The Washington Post, in which he fantasized about killing then–House Speaker Todd Gilbert and referenced harm to his family.
• Jones has apologized, calling the language shameful, and says he will remain in the attorney general race while claiming he reached out to Gilbert to apologize directly.
• President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly called for Jones to withdraw, and the White House press secretary labeled the messages shocking and unacceptable.
• Incumbent AG Jason Miyares launched a $1.5 million ad campaign highlighting the texts, with early voting already underway and an Oct. 16 debate set at the University of Richmond.
• Democratic leaders condemned the rhetoric but largely stopped short of demanding Jones step aside, as several local party committees reaffirmed support in a race previously shown as competitive in polling.