Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate for Virginia attorney general, apologized after 2022 text messages surfaced in which he suggested "two bullets to the head" for a Republican leader [abcnews.go.com#1][thehill.com#1]. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin urged Jones to withdraw from the race, calling the rhetoric "beyond disqualifying" [nypost.com#1]. The messages drew widespread condemnation and backlash as the campaign continues [abcnews.go.com#1][yahoo.com#1].
Highlights:
- Content of texts: Leaked 2022 messages included phrases like "two bullets to the head" and "Three people, two bullets" about the then statehouse speaker [abcnews.go.com#1][thehill.com#1].
- Candidate apology: Jones apologized for the 2022 messages after they surfaced, acknowledging they were wrong [abcnews.go.com#1].
- Call to withdraw: Gov. Glenn Youngkin urged Jones to drop out, saying the rhetoric targeted an elected official and his children and was "beyond disqualifying" [nypost.com#1].
- Political backlash: The revelations prompted widespread condemnation and backlash during the Virginia attorney general race [abcnews.go.com#1][yahoo.com#1].
- Timing details: The texts were sent in 2022 and leaked publicly this week [abcnews.go.com#1][thehill.com#1].
This violent, disgusting rhetoric targeted at an elected official and his children is beyond disqualifying, – Gov. Glenn Youngkin
Perspectives:
- Jay Jones: Apologized for the 2022 texts after their release, acknowledging the rhetoric was wrong. (ABC News)
- Gov. Glenn Youngkin: Urged Jones to drop out of the attorney general race, calling the rhetoric beyond disqualifying. (New York Post)
Sources:
- Democrat in Virginia attorney general race apologizes for 2022 texts depicting political violence – abcnews.go.com
- Youngkin calls for embattled Dem AG hopeful Jay Jones to drop out after vile texts surface wishing GOP lawmaker, children be shot dead – nypost.com
- Virginia AG candidate faces backlash over violent, inflammatory text messages – yahoo.com
- Democratic candidate for Virginia AG faces firestorm after disturbing texts leak – thehill.com
