Democrat Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones, in recently uncovered text messages, fantasized about murdering a state GOP leader with “two bullets to the head” and “piss[ing]” on the graves of other Republicans.
In the wake of the scandal — which comes at a time of increased political violence from the Left — Jones has sought to blame Republicans and President Donald Trump.
In text messages obtained first by National Review, Jones says to another lawmaker that he would use two bullets to murder then-GOP House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
“Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” Jones texted to Del. Carrie Coyner (R). “Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time.”
Earlier in the text messages, Jones expressed that he would attend the funerals of Republican lawmakers in Virginia “to piss on their graves.”
“Send them out awash in something,” he added.
Jones’ comments were reportedly in reference to Republicans saying kind words about Democrat Del. Joe Johnson, who passed away at age 90.
Credit: Fox News
A follow-up message from Jones read, “I’ve told you this before. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy,” Fox News reported.
The Democrat also asked if Gilbert and his wife were “breeding little fascists.”
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Coyner’s campaign confirmed the texts were real and called them “disturbing and disqualifying for anyone who wants to seek public office.”
“Jay Jones wished violence on the children of a colleague and joked about shooting Todd Gilbert,” a spokesperson said. “It’s disgusting and unbecoming of any public official.”
The texts were exchanged on August 8, 2022, according to Coyner.
Jones has not denied the veracity of the texts, though he has sought to blame Republicans, specifically his GOP opponent Jason Miyares, and “Trump-controlled media.”
“Like all people, I’ve sent text messages that I regret, and I believe that violent rhetoric has no place in our politics,” Jones told Fox. “Let’s be clear about what is happening in the attorney general race right now: Jason Miyares is dropping smears through Trump-controlled media organizations to assault my character and rescue his desperate campaign.”
“This is a strategy that ensures Jason Miyares will continue to be accountable to Donald Trump, not the people of Virginia,” he added. “This race is about whether Trump can control Virginia or Virginians control Virginia.”
Jones also told NBC News that he’s reached out to Gilbert to apologize.
“I want to issue my deepest apology to Speaker Gilbert and his family. Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach. I am embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry,” he said. “I have reached out to Speaker Gilbert to apologize directly to him, his wife Jennifer, and their children. I cannot take back what I said; I can only take full accountability and offer my sincere apology.”
Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears has said the texts from Jones are “wholly disqualifying.”
“This is horrible to read and should be wholly disqualifying of someone running for an office that protects the people of Virginia,” she posted to X. “Jay Jones’ horrific comments are a symptom of the entire Democratic Party and his running mate, Abigail Spanberger, needs to call on him to drop out.”
Spanberger has been heavily criticized for telling supporters, “let your rage fuel you.”
“Attorney General Jason Miyares has served the people of Virginia with honor and dignity, and will continue to do so come November,” Winsome Earle-Sears added. “Jay Jones can never be Attorney General of Virginia.”
Statement on Jay Jones’ violent texts:
This is horrible to read and should be wholly disqualifying of someone running for an office that protects the people of Virginia.
Jay Jones’ horrific comments are a symptom of the entire Democratic Party and his running mate, Abigail…
— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) October 3, 2025
Over the last decade, Democrats have amped up language against political opponents and law enforcement, often comparing them to Nazis, the Gestapo, Adolf Hitler, and fascists.
Last month, conservative Charlie Kirk, a champion for free speech, was assassinated while speaking to college students with differing views. Weeks later, there was a targeted shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas, Texas, by a man who scrawled “ANTI-ICE” on an unfired rifle cartridge.
Moreover, over the summer, Democrat Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated in “targeted political violence” by a man with anti-Trump “No Kings” posters in his vehicle. There have also been numerous assassination attempts on the life of President Donald Trump.
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