Jay Jones, Virginia’s Democratic nominee for lawyer basic, despatched a collection of disturbing textual content messages to a former colleague in 2022, the place he advised the state’s then-Home Speaker Todd Gilbert (R) deserved to be shot within the head.
“Three folks, two bullets,” learn a textual content from Jones, obtained by The Put up from a supply.
“Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot,” the previous member of the Virginia Home of Delegates continued, presenting the recipient of his textual content with a darkish hypothetical.
“Gilbert will get two bullets to the pinnacle,” Jones wrote, including, “Spoiler: put Gilbert within the crew with the 2 worst folks you already know and he receives each bullets each time.”
The texts, first-reported by Nationwide Overview on Friday, have been despatched by Jones at round 8 a.m., on Aug. 8, 2022, to Republican Home Delegate Carrie Coyner – who was clearly troubled by the messages.
“Jay,” Coyner wrote again. “Please cease.”
“It actually bothers me while you speak about hurting folks or wishing demise on them,” she added.
Jones initiated the alternate after he appeared to by accident textual content Coyner bemoaning the “glowing tributes” centrist Democrat Joe Johnson Jr., a former state legislator who died simply days earlier than, had been receiving from Republicans, together with Gilbert.
“If these guys die earlier than me,” Jones mentioned of the Republicans praising Johnson Jr., “I’ll go to their funerals to piss on their graves.”
“Ship them out awash in one thing.”
Jones known as Coyner throughout their textual content alternate and reportedly doubled down, suggesting that he wished Gilbert’s spouse may watch her kids die, to maybe change the previous Home speaker’s political opinions, in response to Nationwide Overview, citing a supply.
“You weren’t making an attempt to grasp,” Coyner texted Jones after she reportedly hung up on him. “You have been speaking about hopping [sic] jennifer Gilbert’s kids would die.”
The Democratic AG candidate responded: “Sure, I’ve advised you this earlier than. Solely when folks really feel ache personally do they transfer on coverage.”
“I imply do I believe Todd and Jennifer are evil? And that they’re breeding little fascists? Sure,” Jones continued.
In an announcement, Coyner advised Nationwide Overview that what Jones texted her “was not simply disturbing however disqualifying for anybody who needs to hunt public workplace.”
“Jay Jones wished violence on the youngsters of a colleague and joked about taking pictures Todd Gilbert. It’s disgusting and unbecoming of any public official,” she added.
In the meantime, Jones didn’t apologize for the texts and accused his GOP opponent, incumbent Virginia Lawyer Basic Jason Miyares, of “dropping smears.”
“Like all folks, I’ve despatched textual content messages that I remorse and I consider that violent rhetoric has no place in our politics,” Jones mentioned in a assertion to the Virginia Scope.
“Let’s be clear about what is occurring within the Lawyer Basic race proper now: Jason Miyares is dropping smears by Trump-controlled media organizations to assault my character and rescue his determined marketing campaign,” he added. “It is a technique that ensures Jason Miyares will proceed to be accountable to Donald Trump, not the folks of Virginia.”
“This race is about whether or not Trump can management Virginia or Virginians management Virginia.”
Jones’ disturbing texts mark the second scandal the Democratic candidate has confronted this week.
On Wednesday, the Richmond Occasions-Dispatch reported that Jones was busted for reckless driving in 2022 – when he was caught driving 116 mph down a Virginia interstate – however prevented jail time by finishing 500 hours of group service together with his personal political motion committee.
