Overview

• National Review published screenshots of August 2022 texts in which Jay Jones wrote "Three people, two bullets" and said former House Speaker Todd Gilbert "gets two bullets to the head," an exchange confirmed by recipient Del. Carrie Coyner.
• Jones acknowledged sending the messages, said he regrets them and that violent rhetoric has no place in politics, initially blamed opponent Jason Miyares for publicizing them, and later apologized directly to Gilbert and his family.
• Coyner said Jones "doubled down" in a follow-up call and suggested he wished Gilbert’s wife could watch her child die to change Gilbert’s views, prompting her to hang up; she called the comments disturbing and disqualifying.
• The Republican Attorneys General Association called for Jones to drop out, the Republican State Legislative Campaign Committee urged a full explanation and apology, and Democratic leaders including Abigail Spanberger condemned the language and demanded accountability.
• Local outlets reported campaign fallout, including a canceled TV interview earlier Friday and a late-night sit-down with WRIC, as the competitive attorney general race continues to draw scrutiny.