Virginia sheriffs’ association urges Jay Jones to withdraw over violent texts
The Virginia Law Enforcement Sheriffs’ Association, representing 86 sheriffs, sent a letter demanding Democratic attorney‑general nominee Jay Jones withdraw after resurfaced 2022 text messages in which he used violent language — including the line “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head” — and was accused of fantasizing about political violence. Jones has apologized, acknowledged the messages and canceled a fundraiser, while Republicans and law‑enforcement groups called for him to quit and many Democrats either defended him or declined to demand his withdrawal.
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📌 Key Facts
- Resurfaced August 2022 text messages from Jay Jones include violent language imagining the murder of Republican Speaker Todd Gilbert — notably the explicit line "Gilbert gets two bullets to the head" — and Jones has apologized, saying he is "embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry," taking responsibility; his campaign did not challenge the texts' accuracy.
- Jones publicly apologized on camera, said he personally reached out to Todd Gilbert and his family, and spoke by phone with Republican Del. Carrie Coyner (reporting notes Jones described Gilbert’s children dying in a message during that call).
- The Virginia Law Enforcement Sheriffs' Association (representing 86 sheriffs), led by Sheriff Richard Vaughn and signed by sheriffs from Campbell, Mecklenburg and Wise counties, sent a letter demanding Jones withdraw from the attorney general race, calling the remarks "disgusting" and "unacceptable," and additional local law‑enforcement officials and commonwealth’s attorneys publicly criticized him.
- Republican leaders including Gov. Glenn Youngkin, AG Jason Miyares and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears, as well as former President Trump and other conservatives, publicly called for Jones to drop out and mounted political attacks (Miyares running a $1.5M ad buy; Earle‑Sears released a "Two Bullets" ad); Democratic reactions were mixed — some (e.g., Sen. Tim Kaine and several Democratic officials) continued to support or defend Jones while many national Democrats were reluctant to call for his withdrawal or declined to comment.
- Jones canceled a fundraiser at novelist David Baldacci’s home and the campaign said donor refunds would be issued; scrutiny grew around donors and backers — Sen. Mark Warner gave $25,000 in August and has not demanded it returned, Everytown for Gun Safety had endorsed Jones and gave $200,000 in August, and major individual donor Elizabeth Simons has given roughly $750,000 to Jones's campaign.
- Media figures and pundits across outlets reacted strongly — some (Joe Scarborough, John Heilemann, MSNBC hosts) urged Jones to withdraw and condemned the texts, while others (including Neera Tanden on Meet the Press) described them as a private conversation but still called the language "awful and disgusting."
- Separately, former Del. Carrie Coyner alleged Jones in 2020 said "maybe if a few of them died" (referring to police), an allegation Jones denies and for which he said he supports law enforcement.
📚 Contextual Background
- In Virginia, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run for and are elected to their offices separately rather than on a single ticket.
📰 Sources (21)
AG-turned-senator lambasts Democrats' silence on Jay Jones as sheriffs call for ouster: 'We will not follow'
New information:
- The Virginia Law Enforcement Sheriffs' Association (representing 86 sheriffs) sent a letter to Jay Jones demanding he withdraw from the AG race over his violent text messages.
- Association president Sheriff Richard Vaughn and officials from Campbell, Mecklenburg, and Wise counties signed the letter, calling Jones’ remarks 'disgusting' and 'unacceptable.'
- The letter asserts Jones advocated violence against a family, including children, and allegedly said more police deaths would reduce civilian shootings.
- Sen. Eric Schmitt (R‑Mo.), a former state attorney general, publicly condemned Jones’ texts and criticized Democrats’ silence.
- Sen. Tim Kaine defended Jones’ candidacy, while Sens. Mark Warner, Adam Schiff and Chris Coons declined to comment in encounters with reporters.
- Smyth County Sheriff Chip Schuler and the local commonwealth’s attorney also criticized Jones, adding to law‑enforcement pushback.
- Virginia AG Jason Miyares highlighted additional negative reactions from law enforcement around the state.
Who is Elizabeth Simons? Meet the largest individual donor to Virginia's disgraced Dem AG nominee
New information:
- Identifies Elizabeth 'Liz' Simons as the largest individual donor to Jay Jones, giving $750,000 to his campaign in four payments.
- Details that Simons gave $250,000 in August to a super PAC aligned with Zohran Mamdani.
- Notes Simons' broader giving: millions to Senate Majority PAC, substantial gifts to House Majority PAC, and over $800,000 to a PAC backing Kamala Harris.
Joe Scarborough tells Dem candidate Jay Jones to leave race over violent comments against GOP lawmaker
New information:
- MSNBC host Joe Scarborough publicly urged Jay Jones to withdraw from the Virginia attorney general race in an X thread, calling the 2022 texts 'disqualifying.'
- Scarborough's direct quoted appeal: he wrote Jones 'should [withdraw] from the Attorney General’s race at once' for the good of Virginia.
- Article reiterates specific text excerpts from 2022 and notes Del. Carrie Coyner's campaign confirmed the texts' authenticity.
Scoop: Virginia AG candidate Jay Jones cancels fundraiser amid "two bullets" backlash
New information:
- Jay Jones cancelled a Thursday night fundraiser scheduled at novelist David Baldacci’s home.
- Democratic donors were told by a Jones campaign memo that their donations for the event would be refunded.
- The Miyares campaign is running a $1.5 million ad buy attacking Jones over the resurfaced texts.
- Sen. Tim Kaine was still scheduled to attend the fundraiser and has called Jones 'indefensible' while remaining a supporter; Kaine declined further comment via his spokesperson.
Mark Warner silent when pressed on whether Jay Jones should drop out over violent texts
New information:
- Sen. Mark Warner was approached by reporters and declined to comment when asked whether Jay Jones should drop out of the Virginia attorney general race.
- The article reports Warner was specifically pressed about whether he would demand Jones return a $25,000 donation and notes a joint ActBlue fundraising page linking Warner and Jones was discovered.
- Provides on‑the‑ground detail about Warner avoiding comment (location: Philip Hart Senate Office Building, en route to a Senate Intelligence Committee briefing) and contrasts Warner's silence with Sen. Tim Kaine's public defense of Jones.
‘Staggering’ silence: Democrats knocked for keeping mum about candidate who fantasized about murder
New information:
- On‑the‑record reporting that multiple Democratic U.S. senators (Wyden, Blumenthal, Coons, Warner, Welch) were asked about Jones and largely declined to call for him to drop out or resign, with specific reactions documented (Wyden: 'horrifying' but would not call for withdrawal; Blumenthal: unfamiliar; Coons: smiled and walked away; Warner: ignored; Welch: not familiar).
- Compilation of the senators who were approached by Fox News Digital and the verbatim or behavioral responses recorded in the interview attempts.
- Republican reaction quote from Sen. Ted Cruz labeling Democrats' silence 'staggering' in light of political violence, tying the candidate's texts to broader concerns about political rhetoric and violence.
Winsome Earle-Sears releases ‘Two Bullets’ ad scathing opponent for failing to demand Jay Jones’ ouster
New information:
- Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears released a new campaign ad titled 'Two Bullets' attacking Abigail Spanberger for not demanding Jay Jones withdraw from the attorney‑general race.
- The ad intercuts a narrator saying 'Jay Jones says he wants to put two bullets in a political opponent' with a widely circulated clip of Spanberger saying 'Let your rage fuel you.'
- Spanberger campaign responded with a spokesperson statement condemning comments that justify violence and defending her record and continued support for Jones as a candidate.
Dem senator's hefty donation to disgraced AG candidate's campaign comes back to haunt him
New information:
- Disclosure that Sen. Mark Warner personally (via his campaign) made a $25,000 contribution to Jones’ campaign in August.
- Identification of an ActBlue joint fundraising page linking Jones and Warner for fundraising purposes.
- Public Republican response quoting NRSC regional press staffer Samantha Cantrell criticizing Warner for donating, endorsing, and fundraising with Jones despite the texts.
Kaine defends Jay Jones amid AG candidate’s texts envisioning murder of top Republican: ‘Still a supporter’
New information:
- Sen. Tim Kaine publicly defended Jay Jones and said he remains a supporter despite calling Jones's resurfaced texts 'indefensible.'
- Kaine quoted: 'Jay has apologized' and said the remarks appear 'not in character,' urging that Jones explain himself to Virginia voters.
- Kaine said the controversy is a 'significant challenge' for Jones but indicated he does not expect it to affect other statewide Democratic races.
Jay Jones said if more police were killed it would reduce shootings of civilians, according to VA lawmaker
New information:
- Former Del. Carrie Coyner alleges a 2020 conversation in which Jay Jones said 'Well, maybe if a few of them died, that they would move on, not shooting people, not killing people,' referring to police.
- This allegation is separate from the previously reported 2022 text messages that included 'Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.'
- Jones has issued a denial to Virginia Scope, saying he 'did not say this' and expressing support for law enforcement.
- Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin publicly called on Jones to abandon his campaign in response to the resurfaced messages and new allegation.
Democrats stand by Virginia AG hopeful who fantasized about killing GOP lawmaker
New information:
- Sen. Cory Booker has not rescinded his June endorsement of Jay Jones (office did not respond to inquiry).
- Offices of Reps. Eugene Vindman, Robert Scott and Suhas Subramanyam did not respond to requests about whether they are rescinding endorsements.
- Rep. Eugene Vindman publicly reaffirmed his support for Jones in a post on X after the National Review report.
- Abigail Spanberger condemned Jones' messages and said he must take responsibility but did not call for Jones to withdraw from the race.
- The Virginia Beach Democratic Committee issued a statement explicitly reaffirming support for Jones and urging voters to 'line up behind' him.
Democratic Virginia AG candidate apologizes for violent, inflammatory texts
New information:
- Jay Jones issued an on‑camera apology over resurfaced 2022 text messages containing violent language.
- CBS News aired a video segment (includes 'The Takeout' discussion) reporting the apology and contextualizing the resurfaced texts.
- The segment names reporters Julia Manchester (The Hill) and Sophia Cai (Politico) as contributors to the discussion.
Gun control group gave six-figure donation to Dem candidate who fantasized about shooting GOP lawmaker
New information:
- Campaign finance records show Everytown for Gun Safety gave Jay Jones $200,000 in August 2025.
- Everytown had formally endorsed Jones in June 2025 and its president John Feinblatt issued an endorsing statement.
- The article quotes Feinblatt's endorsement language and notes Fox News Digital sought comment from Everytown (no response reported).
Liberal MSNBC panelist calls for Virginia AG candidate to drop out over violent text messages
New information:
- MSNBC 'Morning Joe' panelist John Heilemann publicly urged Jay Jones to drop out of the Virginia AG race over the resurfaced violent texts.
- On‑air reactions from MSNBC co‑host Mika Brzezinski (calling the texts 'horrible') and reporting that Neera Tanden also condemned the messages on NBC's 'Meet the Press' were documented.
- The Fox News article reiterates the texts' content (including the line 'Gilbert gets two bullets to the head') and confirms Jones has apologized and said he is 'deeply ashamed.'
Youngkin presses Dems to push Jay Jones off Virginia AG ticket after 'beyond disqualifying' messages surface
New information:
- Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin publicly doubled down and urged Democrats to push Jay Jones off the attorney general ticket in an on‑air Fox & Friends interview.
- Youngkin said on Fox & Friends: 'This is beyond disqualifying' and urged Democrats to 'figure out where their moral compass is.'
- Article notes Jones did not deny the texts, blamed his opponent for planting stories, apologized and said he reached out to Todd Gilbert and his family.
Former Biden official calls Virginia AG candidate Jay Jones' violent texts part of a 'private conversation'
New information:
- Neera Tanden publicly responded on Meet the Press, condemning Jay Jones' violent text messages but characterizing them as part of a 'private conversation.'
- Tanden framed the texts as 'awful and disgusting' while pressing for equivalent condemnation of incendiary language by Republicans (including President Trump) in the same segment.
- The article includes a direct pushback quote from a spokesperson for Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares criticizing national Democrats for excusing Jones.
Winsome Earle-Sears releases ad linking Abigail Spanberger to Jay Jones after violent texts resurface
New information:
- Winsome Earle‑Sears unveiled a new minute‑long campaign ad linking Abigail Spanberger to Jay Jones after Jones' 2022 violent text messages resurfaced.
- The ad features news‑report clips about the texts, photos of Spanberger and Jones together, audio of Spanberger saying she campaigned with Jay Jones, and ends with on‑screen text 'Reject the insanity. Vote Republican.'
- Earle‑Sears posted to X quoting Jones: 'Jay Jones dreamed of murdering two young kids and their dad over politics' and promoted the ad on social media.
- President Trump publicly weighed in via Truth Social calling Jones a 'radical left lunatic,' urged him to drop out, and endorsed incumbent Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares.
- The article republishes specific offending text content (dated August 2022) and includes Jay Jones' apology statement acknowledging and apologizing for the messages.
Virginia Dems back AG candidate Jay Jones, despite sinister text messages
New information:
- Multiple fellow Democrats are publicly standing by Jay Jones and none have called for him to end his campaign, even after the texts surfaced.
- Rep. Abigail Spanberger condemned the violent language but said she spoke 'frankly' with Jones and did not call for his withdrawal.
- Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin publicly called on Jones to drop out on Oct. 4, 2025; Republicans (AG Jason Miyares, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears) sharply condemned Jones and called the remarks disqualifying.
- Jones issued an apology and said he reached out personally to Todd Gilbert and his family.
Democrat in Virginia attorney general race apologizes for 2022 texts depicting political violence
New information:
- Jay Jones issued a public apology and said he 'took full responsibility' after the texts surfaced.
- Jones' campaign did not challenge the accuracy of the 2022 texts.
- Jones spoke by phone with Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner following the revelations; reporting notes a conversation in which Jones described Gilbert’s children dying in the arms of their mother.
- Reactions quoted from incumbents and other statewide Democratic candidates (Jason Miyares, Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi) are included, adding updated political responses and pressure amid early voting.
Virginia AG candidate faces backlash over violent, inflammatory text messages
New information:
- CBS quoted the explicit line from the resurfaced 2022 texts: "Gilbert gets two bullets to the head."
- Jay Jones issued a direct apology to Speaker Gilbert and his family in a statement to CBS News, saying he is "embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry."
- Named, on‑the‑record condemnations from Rep. Abigail Spanberger, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears, and Vice President J.D. Vance calling for Jones to withdraw or criticizing the remarks were included.
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