Overview

• Texts first reported by National Review and viewed by The Washington Post show Jay Jones fantasizing about killing then–House Speaker Todd Gilbert and making comments about his family.
• Jones apologized publicly, said he contacted Gilbert’s family, and remains in the attorney general race against incumbent Jason Miyares.
• President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and AG Jason Miyares called the messages disqualifying and urged Jones to step aside, while MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough said he should withdraw.
• Many Virginia Democrats condemned the rhetoric but stopped short of calling for Jones to exit, with several local committees reaffirming support and Abigail Spanberger expressing disgust without urging withdrawal.
• Republicans rolled out new ads tying Democrats to Jones as campaigns seek advantage ahead of the Nov. 4 election, which had been polling as a competitive attorney general contest.