Democratic candidate for Virginia attorney general Jay Jones is facing sustained [1] criticism and calls to leave the race following the release of 2022 text messages in which he discussed shooting Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert and referenced harm to Gilbert’s children in the context of gun control.
The disclosure late last week added to separate reporting about a prior reckless driving case in which Jones completed community service that critics say advanced his political profile.
The 2022 texts triggered responses across the political spectrum. Townhall’s Matt Vespa wrote: “So, he got a cupcake deal, but what about wishing death on State House Speaker Todd Gilbert? Yeah, in a series of texts, Jones pretty much hopes his enemies feel pain since that’s the only way change can happen. It’s insane. This outburst occurred in August 2022 when a moderate Virginia Democrat, Joe Johnson, Jr., passed away. Jones was not fond of Johnson, scoffed at the tributes, and seemed like an all-around unstable personality.”
Republicans, including President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, called for Jones to drop out of the campaign.
The Democrat candidate for AG in Virginia has been fantasizing about murdering his political opponents in private messages. I’m sure the people hyperventilating about sombrero memes will join me in calling for this very deranged person to drop out of the race. https://t.co/ZapsWc9VFG [2]
— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 4, 2025 [3]
GOP officials and candidates in Virginia circulated the messages and urged Democrats to replace Jones on the ticket, citing concerns about violent rhetoric and the role of the attorney general’s office.
Reaction among Democrats varied.
Some Democrats defended Jones, including former Biden aide Neera Tanden, who characterized the messages as part of a “private conversation.”
BONKERS. Neera Tanden excuses Virginia Democrat AG candidate Jay Jones calling for the assassination of a Republican leader and his kids as just merely just a “private conversation.”
Utterly disgraceful.
pic.twitter.com/N5KEyFZHPU [4]— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) October 5, 2025 [5]
The Virginia Beach Democratic Committee announced continued backing for Jones in a written statement. Democratic state senators also voiced support, saying Jones should remain the nominee.
The Virginia Beach Dems issue a statement which “reaffirms its full support or Jay Jones for Attorney General” and “[calls] on all Virginians to line up behind Jay Jones” https://t.co/M3EeWyiQ6g [6] pic.twitter.com/taDdtOBEYC [7]
— Blue Virginia (@bluevirginia) October 4, 2025 [8]
Other Democrats criticized the content of the texts.
Gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger issued a written statement addressing the messages and her conversation with Jones.
Spanberger said, “After learning of these comments earlier today, I spoke frankly with Jay about my disgust with what he had said and texted. I made clear to Jay that he must fully take responsibility for his words. What I have also made clear is that as a candidate — and the next Governor of our Commonwealth, I will always condemn violent language in our politics.”
Spanberger did not call on Jones to leave the race.
Sick. pic.twitter.com/6HzSikaTOI [9]
— Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) October 5, 2025 [10]
The developments drew national media attention.
On MSNBC, Joe Scarborough said, “He should probably be forced to withdraw from the race,” adding, “And ‘probably’ is doing a lot there.”
Co-host Mika Brzezinski described the texts as “horrible” and said, “I didn’t want to read them out loud.”
Jay Jones “should probably be forced to withdraw from the race.”
You know it’s serious when you’ve lost MSNBC. pic.twitter.com/JNRaIS4DKR [11]
— RAGA (@RepublicanAGs) October 6, 2025 [12]
Panelist Jonathan Lemire said, “Yeah, deeply disturbing messages that have been swiftly condemned across the aisle. [Spanberger] did very quickly denounce them. But it’s unclear whether this attorney general candidate will stay in the race. I think there’s a growing sense that he probably should not, we heard President Trump last night. But even some Democratic leaders, John Heilemann, have started to say like, ‘Look, this is inappropriate.’ You can’t, and especially at a time right now with such concern about violent rhetoric and political violence.”
Brzezinski asked, “Who says that?” Heilemann replied, “It’s wildly inappropriate under any circumstances,” and added, “This guy should do everyone a favor and step out of that race.”