Virginia’s Democratic attorney general nominee is under pressure to withdraw after inflammatory 2022 text messages resurfaced. The messages, reportedly directed at House Speaker Todd Gilbert, have drawn criticism from both parties and thrown the race into turmoil.

Richmond

Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for Virginia attorney general, is facing bipartisan calls to withdraw from the race after text messages he sent in 2022 resurfaced. In these messages, Jones hypothetically discussed shooting the then-Republican speaker of the House of Delegates. Jones has admitted to sending the messages, expressed remorse, and apologized, but has stated he will remain in the race.

The controversy has drawn condemnation from both Republican and Democratic figures, with Jones' Republican opponent, Jason Miyares, calling the comments disqualifying and launching a major ad campaign in response. The incident is expected to impact the attorney general race and could influence the broader political climate in Virginia, including the governor's race.

Virginia Democrat urged to quit AG race over resurfaced texts

The Democratic nominee for Virginia attorney general is facing calls to drop out of the race. This is over inflammatory text messages he sent in 2022. Resurfaced messages from Jay Jones were first reported by the National Review, and in them, Jones wrote about hypothetically shooting the then-Republican speaker of the House of Delegates. In a statement to CBS News, Jones admitted he had sent those messages and apologized for his comments, saying the words made him sick to his stomach. CBS News political director Finn Gomez joins us now. Finn, good to see you here. So what are Jones and also his opponent, his Republican opponent, saying about this today? Much since the resurfacing of those 2022 text messages sent by this now-embattled Democratic attorney general nominee, which has ignited a political firestorm in the old Dominion state, in those messages, Nancy, to his then-Republican colleague and friend, Delegate Kerry Conyer, Jones used violent and inflammatory language, where he mused about hypothetically shooting the then-Republican speaker of the House, state House. Jones sent CBS a statement on Saturday where he said he felt ashamed and sorry, saying he took full responsibility, but vowed to continue in the race. Jones' texts have received bipartisan condemnation across the board. His Republican opponent, Jason Miyares, the current attorney general, in different media interviews today said Jones' comments were, quote, wholly disqualifying, and his campaign launched a $1.5 million ad buy over these text message controversies—controversy. Republicans I spoke to are convinced that the text messages will allow Miyares, the Republican, to potentially hold on to this AG position in this off-year cycle. If you remember, Nancy, a recent Washington Post poll, before the controversy erupted, had Jones up by four points, but many expect the margins to tighten. Nancy? And Finn, this goes beyond just talking about Virginia AG here. Could this potentially impact the governor's race in Virginia, a very key race? I know you're watching closely. Yeah, great question. These texts really come at a crucial time in this battleground Virginia governor's race. We're less than 30 days away until Election Day. Both candidates in the race, Democratic front-runner Abigail Spanberger and her Republican rival, Winston Earl Sears, have both denounced Jones' comments. Spanberger told CBS in a statement that she made clear to Jones that he must take full responsibility for his words. But Earl Sears, the Republican, and many national Republicans, including President Trump, Nancy, have been criticizing Spanberger and other Virginia Democrats for not calling for Jones to drop out. Some Virginia Democrats that I spoke to, they're concerned that the controversy could dominate the headlines until Election Day, despite Spanberger's double-digit lead for Sears in most pollings. For example, Spanberger's up by 12 points in the most recent Washington Post poll. And just remember, the last debate between these two will be this Thursday, and this is an issue that will sure to come up. Nancy? I'm sure you'll be watching it all very closely. Finn Gomez, thank you very much.

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