Virginia’s Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones is facing bipartisan backlash after 2022 text messages surfaced in which he talked about shooting then–House Speaker Todd Gilbert [cbsnews.com#5][thehill.com#6][allsides.com#3]. Republican leaders and media figures, including MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, have urged him to step aside [thehill.com#6][nypost.com#2]. Democrats such as gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger also condemned the messages, underscoring calls for civility in Virginia politics [dailysignal.com#4].
Highlights:
- Text content: The 2022 messages referenced shooting former House Speaker Todd Gilbert, including a remark about “two bullets to the head,” according to reports of the texts [cbsnews.com#5][allsides.com#3][thehill.com#6].
- Calls to withdraw: Republicans pressed Jones to exit the race, and MSNBC host Joe Scarborough publicly urged him to stand down [thehill.com#6][nypost.com#2].
- Governor response: Gov. Glenn Youngkin criticized the messages as “demented,” adding to the pressure on Jones [thehill.com#7].
- Democratic reactions: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger condemned the texts, signaling bipartisan criticism of violent rhetoric [dailysignal.com#4].
- Additional allegation: A lawmaker claimed Jones also wrote that if more police officers were killed, they would shoot fewer people, in other leaked texts [nypost.com#1].
This is demented – Gov. Glenn Youngkin
Perspectives:
- Republican leaders: Argue that the violent messages disqualify Jones and say he should drop out. (The Hill)
- Gov. Glenn Youngkin: Called the texts 'demented' and expressed disbelief they were written. (The Hill)
- Abigail Spanberger: Condemned the messages from Jones, distancing her campaign from violent rhetoric. (The Daily Signal)
- Joe Scarborough: Urged Jones to stand down following the publication of the texts. (New York Post)
Sources:
- Virginia AG candidate Jay Jones said if more cops got killed, they wouldn’t shoot so many people, lawmaker claims – nypost.com
- Virginia AG candidate said Republican lawmaker deserved 'two bullets to the head' in surfaced texts – allsides.com
- Does Spanberger Still Support Jay Jones After He Fantasized About Shooting a Republican? – dailysignal.com
- Virginia AG candidate faces backlash over violent, inflammatory text messages – cbsnews.com
- Pressure grows on Virginia Democratic candidate to quit after violent text messages – thehill.com
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