**Virginia Attorney General Debate Dominated by Controversy Over Jay Jones’s 2022 Violent Texts**
The Virginia attorney general debate on Thursday night at the University of Richmond was largely overshadowed by controversy surrounding Democrat nominee Jay Jones and the resurfacing of violent text messages he sent in 2022 about Republican leaders.
Jones, a former delegate from Norfolk, has faced bipartisan criticism since the Richmond Times-Dispatch revealed text messages he sent to former Republican delegate Carrie Coyner in August 2022. In these messages, Jones fantasized about killing then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert, a Republican, and referenced the deaths of Gilbert’s children. The texts, which started circulating online last month, have cast a long shadow over Jones’s campaign and prompted widespread calls for him to withdraw from the race.
During the debate, Jones addressed the messages directly and reiterated his apology. “I am ashamed, I am embarrassed, and I am sorry,” Jones said. “I’m sorry to Speaker Gilbert. I’m sorry to his family. I’m sorry to my family. And I’m sorry to every single Virginian.”
**Miyares Responds: Criticizes Timing and Sincerity of Apology**
Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is seeking reelection, responded sharply to Jones’s apology, arguing it came only after the public exposure of the texts.
“And right now you may say that you are sorry, but look back at what happened,” Miyares said. “You had three years to say you are sorry, Jay, and you didn’t. Three years to actually recognize what you did was horrific. You chose to stay silent.”
Miyares went on to highlight Jones’s initial reaction when confronted about the texts, saying, “Carrie Coyner called you out then, you doubled down. It was after she called you out for these text messages that you said you advocated for violence against children. And when this became public, we now know your first statement wasn’t saying ‘I’m sorry.’ The words ‘I’m sorry’ weren’t even in your statement. It was to say we all send text messages we regret.”
He added that Jones’s comments were especially troubling given the position he is seeking. “I find it a little bit stunning that today you say one of the pillars of your public safety platform is protecting children. Were you protecting Jennifer’s children when you said you wanted to see them die in their mother’s arms?” Miyares asked, referring to Gilbert’s wife.
**Questions Raised Over Jones’s Suitability for Attorney General Role**
Miyares, who has served as Virginia’s attorney general since 2022, questioned how Jones could lead an office tasked with prosecuting crimes against children.
“How can anybody who’s ever worked in any of the crimes against children units, all of the areas of federal and state local law enforcement, ever take you seriously as the top prosecutor knowing that you viewed that children should die to advance a political agenda?” he said. “It’s unconscionable, and if you were truly ‘sorry,’ you would not be running for this office because you disqualified yourself.”
Later in the debate, Miyares continued to challenge Jones’s understanding of the impact of his words. “He keeps saying that he is sorry. Jay, if you’re really sorry, you wouldn’t be running,” Miyares said. “If you really understood the ramifications of what you said about an innocent mom and her children. You know Todd Gilbert. You served with him. Jennifer would come to the General Assembly. She would bring her children. We would see them run in the hallways. They were two and five years old at the time. This wasn’t hypothetical. This wasn’t some figure you know from afar. You actually know Todd. This is a flesh-and-blood, real husband. Jennifer is a real mom. These are real kids.”
Miyares told the audience that such comments disqualify Jones from serving as Virginia’s top law enforcement officer. “How in the world could you ever show compassion and comfort a grieving mother who has lost a child to violence? Virginians, there is no cry like the cry of a mother who has lost her child. A prosecutor knows this because they’ve stood in that courtroom. Jay Jones has never understood this because he’s not a prosecutor, he’s a politician trying to save his career,” Miyares said.
**Miyares Criticizes Jones’s Legislative Record**
The incumbent attorney general also criticized Jones’s legislative record, labeling him a “criminal-first, victim-last politician.” He cited multiple votes where Jones allegedly favored leniency for offenders over justice for victims.
**Jones Maintains Campaign Amid Apologies**
Jones, who served in the House of Delegates from 2018 to 2021, apologized again after the debate but maintained that he would not withdraw from the race. He expressed hope that voters would accept his apology and judge him based on his “record of service.”
**Looking Ahead to the General Election**
Miyares is seeking a second term as attorney general after his initial election in 2021. The Virginia general election is scheduled for November.
As the campaign heats up, the controversy surrounding Jones’s past messages continues to be a central issue in this critical statewide race.
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/10/jason-miyares-destroys-democrat-opponent-in-debate-for-threatening-gop-leaders-kids-watch/