Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has dropped a political bombshell, calling for Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones to exit his campaign in shame after vile text messages surfaced.
According to Fox News, the texts from August 2022, obtained by Fox News Digital, reveal Jones joking about shooting then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert with chilling specificity. The messages, exchanged with Delegate Carrie Coyner, included a horrifying line about Gilbert getting "two bullets to the head."
Youngkin didn’t mince words on social media, labeling the rhetoric as "violent" and "disgusting," especially since it also targeted Gilbert’s children. He argued there’s no room for apologies here, only accountability through withdrawal.
The conversation between Jones, a former delegate from Norfolk, and Coyner, a Republican from Chester, took a dark turn when Jones referenced Gilbert alongside historical tyrants. His words weren’t just a passing quip; they painted a graphic image of violence that stunned even political adversaries.
A spokesperson for Coyner’s campaign verified the texts, calling them "disturbing and disqualifying" for anyone seeking public office. They stressed that wishing violence on a colleague’s family crosses an unforgivable line.
Jones’s remarks didn’t just shock one party; they’ve ignited a firestorm of bipartisan condemnation. The idea of a potential attorney general harboring such thoughts raises serious questions about judgment and temperament.
The Republican Attorneys General Association, led by Chairman Kris Kobach, swiftly joined Youngkin in demanding Jones step aside. Kobach emphasized that there’s no place for joking about political violence, especially from someone aspiring to oversee law enforcement.
Youngkin went further, challenging not just Jones but his Democratic allies like Abigail Spanberger and Ghazala Hashmi to denounce him publicly. He suggested their silence reflects a lack of backbone in confronting such egregious behavior.
This isn’t mere political posturing; it’s a litmus test for integrity across party lines. If Democrats can’t condemn this, what does that say about their commitment to civility in public life?
Jones issued a statement taking "full responsibility" and offering his "deepest apology" to Gilbert and his family. He admitted to feeling "sick to my stomach" rereading his own words, expressing embarrassment and shame.
He also claimed to have reached out directly to Gilbert, his wife Jennifer, and their children to make amends. Yet, he stopped short of withdrawing, insisting he’ll work to prove his worth to Virginians as a candidate.
Apologies are a start, but words this toxic don’t vanish with a press release. When you’ve mused about violence against a colleague, trust isn’t rebuilt overnight, especially for a role tied to justice.
Jones’s opponent, incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, now faces a race tainted by this scandal, though his camp has yet to comment directly. The focus, however, remains on whether Jones can salvage any moral authority to continue.
Youngkin’s stance is clear: there’s no redemption arc here without stepping down. He’s framed this as a moment for Democrats to show whether they prioritize principle over partisan loyalty.
For Virginians, this isn’t just about one candidate; it’s about the kind of discourse they’ll tolerate in their leaders. If violent rhetoric gets a pass, the slope to deeper division only gets steeper.
