UPDATE: This article has been updated to include a new statement issued by Jay Jones later Friday evening.
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Democratic nominee for attorney general Jay Jones sent text messages to Republican delegate Carrie Coyner saying, in a hypothetical scenario, former House Speaker Todd Gilbert would be shot.
Republican House of Delegates candidate Carrie Coyner — the incumbent running for Virginia’s District 75, which includes Hopewell and parts of Chesterfield and Prince George counties –provided a statement to 8News on Oct. 3 regarding text messages exchanged between Jones and herself three years ago.
According to the date shared by Coyner, Jones had resigned from his seat serving the Virginia House of Delegates for the 89th district, which includes parts of Norfolk, about seven months prior to focus on family. He served alongside Coyner during his time as a delegate.
“On August 8, 2022 I had a text conversation with Jay Jones, what he said was not just disturbing but disqualifying for anyone who wants to seek public office,” Coyner said. “Jay Jones wished violence on the children of a colleague and joked about shooting Todd Gilbert. It’s disgusting and unbecoming of any public official.”
The following text exchange was shared by the National Review on Thursday, Oct. 3:
Jones: Three people, two bullets
Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot
Gilbert gets two bullets to the head
Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time
Coyner: Jay
Please stop
Jones: Lol
Ok, ok
Coyner: It really bothers me when you talk about hurting people or wishing death on them
It isn’t ok
No matter who they are
8News has reached out to Coyner to receive the original message.
Jones provided the following statement regarding these texts:
“I take full responsibility for my actions, and 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.
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.
Virginians deserve honest leaders who admit when they are wrong and own up to their mistakes. This was a grave mistake and I will work every day to prove to the people of Virginia that I will fight for them as Attorney General.”
Jones faces incumbent Jason Miyares (R) in the race for Virginia’s attorney general. 8News reached out to Miyares’ campaign for a statement, but a spokesperson declined to comment at this time.
Former Congresswoman and Democratic candidate for governor Abigail Spanberger issued the following statement about this incident:
“After learning of these comments earlier today, I spoke frankly with Jay about my disgust with what he had said and texted. I made clear to Jay that he must fully take responsibility for his words. What I have also made clear is that as a candidate — and as the next Governor of our Commonwealth, I will always condemn violent language in our politics.”
Current lieutenant governor and Republican candidate for governor Winsome Earle-Sears also shared a statement, which she posted on X:
“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 Spanberger, needs to call on him to drop out. Attorney General Jason Miyares has served the people of Virginia with honor and dignity, and will continue to do so come November. Jay Jones can never be Attorney General of Virginia.”
Current senator and Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Ghazala Hashmi sent out the following statement:
“I have been very clear that political violence has no place in our country, and I condemn it at every turn. Jay must take accountability for the pain that his words have caused. We must demand better of our leaders and of each other.“
