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By Alia Shoaib
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The Democratic Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones apologized during a debate on Thursday night for offensive text messages he once sent about a Republican colleague.
"I am ashamed. I am embarrassed. And I am sorry," Jones said during Thursday's debate with Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in Richmond, Virginia.
"I am sorry to Speaker Gilbert. I am sorry to his family. I am sorry to my family. And I am sorry to every single Virginian. I cannot take back what I said, but you have my word that I will always be accountable for my mistakes. And you also have my word that I will spend every waking moment fighting for you."
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Why It Matters
Jones faced widespread criticism over the texts from across the political spectrum, and the scandal has seen him lose his polling lead.
The messages have shaken up the offseason Virginia race, which is often seen as an early test of the political mood after a presidential race. While Virginia has typically leaned Democratic in recent national contests—with the exception of 2024—statewide races remain closely contested.
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What To Know
Thursday’s debate came two weeks after text messages Jones sent as a state legislator in 2022 emerged, in which he suggested then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert should be shot.
Jones wrote in a message to Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyner: "Three people, two bullets Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot Gilbert gets two bullets to the head Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time."
Jones went on to say he believed Gilbert and his wife were "evil" and were "breeding little fascists," referring to their children.
Jones has apologized for the texts, which were first reported on by The National Review—but his social media postings have steered clear of discussing the issue. He has continued posting as normal in recent days as he seeks to move past the scandal and highlight Miyares’ positioning on issues like abortion.
In Thursday night's debate, Jones went head to head with rival Miyares, who repeatedly brought up the text messages and said they showed Jones did not have the "experience or the judgment" for the job.
Jones sought to deflect attention from his texts, instead bringing up President Donald Trump and positioning himself as the candidate who could stand up to Trump and defend Virginians’ rights, particularly on issues like abortion.
Democrats had hoped for a win in Virginia's offseason race, as the party outside of the White House typically performs well and Trump’s approval rating has dropped since his reelection.
The text message scandal has drawn national attention and become a focus of the race, with many Republicans calling on Jones to drop out—which it is now too late for him to do without the Democrats effectively conceding.
What People Are Saying
Republican Attorney General of Virginia Jason Miyares said during the debate: "We have seen a window to who Jay Jones is and the way he thinks of people that disagree with him. Abraham Lincoln said that character is what you do in the dark when no one is watching. But now we know what he was doing in the dark."
Democratic Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones said: "I was held accountable by my party and I deeply, deeply respect that. But what about when Donald Trump used incendiary language to incite a riot to try to overturn an election here in this country? What about when Winsome Earle-Sears used violent language about people who disagree with you and her and your extreme position on abortion? What about when John Reid shared Nazi porn? You haven't said a word. I've taken accountability for my mistakes. It's time you take accountability, too."
What Happens Next
The Virginia Attorney General election will be held on November 4. Early voting is already underway, with many voters having already cast their ballots already.
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