Violence from the left — and who’s surprised?
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday renewed his call for Democrat Jay Jones to drop out of the state attorney general race after resurfaced 2022 texts showed Jones wishing death on a GOP rival and his children.
“This is beyond disqualifying,” Youngkin said on Fox & Friends. “The Democrats have to come together and figure out where their moral compass is, because they don’t have one right now… this is a ticket allowing someone to stay on who wants children to die, and I can’t believe Virginians for a second will allow this to happen.”
Jones, running against Republican incumbent Jason Miyares, made violent remarks in a 2022 text exchange with GOP Delegate Carrie Coyner about shooting then–House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
“Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” Jones wrote. “Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time.”
Coyner later accused Jones of saying he hoped Gilbert’s children would die. “Yes,” Jones replied. “I’ve told you this before. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy.”
The texts have sparked bipartisan outrage. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger said she “spoke frankly with Jay about [her] disgust” and condemned his words. “I made clear to Jay that he must take full responsibility for his words… I will always condemn violent language in our politics.”
Youngkin said Spanberger didn’t go far enough, urging Democrats to force Jones to “step down in disgrace.”
Jones did not deny the messages were his. “Like all people, I’ve sent text messages that I regret, and I believe violent rhetoric has no place in our politics,” he told Fox News Digital, blaming Miyares for “dropping smears through Trump-controlled media organizations.”
“This race is about whether Trump can control Virginia or Virginians control Virginia,” he said.
Jones has since apologized, calling his words “embarrassing and shameful,” and said he’s reached out to Gilbert and his family personally.
Virginia GOP gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears released a new campaign ad, blasting opponent Abigail Spanberger for continuing to support Jones’ candidacy.
Watch the clip below:
🚨 NEW AD: Jay Jones dreamed of murdering two young kids and their dad over politics—and Abigail Spanberger wants him to be attorney general. pic.twitter.com/RoipSKn436
— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) October 5, 2025