Summary
Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones is facing pressure to leave the race after text messages from 2022 emerged in which he suggested violence against a former Virginia House speaker. President Donald Trump and other Republicans are urging Jones to withdraw from next month's election. Jones has apologized for the messages, which were reported by National Review.
Key Facts
- Jay Jones is running for Virginia attorney general.
- Texts from 2022 show Jones suggesting violence against former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
- President Donald Trump and other Republicans want Jones to quit the race.
- National Review reported the texts, and The Washington Post viewed them. Newsweek has not confirmed them independently.
- The texts were sent to State Delegate Carrie Coyner and mentioned shooting Gilbert.
- Jones apologized for the texts, saying he regrets them.
- The recipient of the texts, Carrie Coyner, told Jones to stop before contacting him.
- Jones is running against incumbent Jason Miyares in Virginia's off-year elections.
