Overview

• National Review published 2022 messages in which Jay Jones wrote that then–House Speaker Todd Gilbert should get “two bullets to the head,” and a spokesperson for Del. Carrie Coyner confirmed the texts’ authenticity.
• Jones issued a public apology and said he reached out to Gilbert and his family to apologize directly.
• MSNBC host Joe Scarborough called on Jones to withdraw from the race as pressure to step aside intensified.
• Virginia Public Access Project data show 359,379 votes had been cast by Oct. 3, before the texts were reported, and a pre-revelation Wason Center poll had Jones leading Jason Miyares 49% to 43%.
• Scrutiny has widened with Coyner alleging Jones made violent remarks about police and with a Richmond Times-Dispatch report that he logged court-ordered service with his own PAC; his campaign also canceled a Thursday fundraiser.