Democratic candidate’s ‘abhorrent’ texts threaten to shake up bellwether Virginia elections
A series of text messages from Virginia’s Chief Public Prosecutor Jay Jones drew attention to violence against a political opponent, triggered a widespread reaction and threatens to shake the state’s November elections.
However, while Jones pointed out that he plans to stay in the race, the ballot up and down the Republicans print the democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger for the governor.
In August 2022, Jones, Republican State Del. Carrie Coyner sent to Virginia House speaker Todd Gilbert in the text messages she sent. Firstly reported texts National examination and then displayed by Washington PostHe was not independently approved by Polico, but Jones did not question his truths and apologized to them.
“Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot, Jones Jones wrote. “Gilbert takes two bullets on his head.”
“Jay,” Coyner replied. “Please stop.”
Jones later called Coyner to continue his speeches, where he called Gilbert’s death and said he might cause his speaker to change his political views.
Messages reveal Virginia’s out -of -year elections, and early voting have already been going on in the state for a long time. Virginia’s out -of -year Guernnatorial elections are usually the country First Political Contact Points After the presidential elections. The state has been tend to blue for years in the federal elections, but offices throughout the state are often hyper -relevant who supports the party in Washington.
Nevertheless, now the GOP government Glenn Youngkin’s former democratic Gov. Victory against Terry Mcauliffe He was accepted as sadAnd someone who brought him to the forefront of the Republican party. In Virginia, winning a Guernatorial election may be the way to the national star; Youngkin 2024 presidential offer Mulled He is ultimately considered to be a potential 2028 contestant before choosing not to run.
The Democrats generally pioneered the public class for three elections throughout November: Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Now, both Lieutenant Winsome Earle-Sears called Spanberger’s rival and Youngkin in November to get out of the race to Spanberger.
“Here, ‘God, I’m sorry’,” Said Youngkin said in a post on Saturday. “Jones does not have a morality or character to leave this race, and every Democrat, who is chosen in Ghazala Hashmi and Virginia, has no courage to call away from this campaign.”
Earle-sears X wrote on Friday The texts “completely disqualification of someone who works for an office that protects the virginia people”.
“Jay Jones’ terrible comments are a sign of the entire Democratic Party, and his running friend Abigail Spanberger should call him to quit,” he said.
A Washington Post and George Mason University In late September, he showed Spanberger to Earle-Sears with a 12-point bullet among possible voters. Jones’ republican rival Jason Miyareres leadership 6 points.
Each of the three offices is selected independently. In Youngkin, the term is limited; According to the law, Virginia’s general manager cannot be selected more than one period.
In a statement, Spanberger condemned the messages, but he stopped forcing Jones to get out of the race.
“After learning these comments [on Friday]I clearly talked to Jay about what he said and texted. ” I have made it clear that Jay should take full responsibility. Also, what I explain is as a candidate – and as the next governor of our nations community, I will always condemn the language of violence in our politics. “
. The killing of the conservative organizer Charlie Kirk Last month, it launched a renewed focus on public discourse from the country’s elected officials. Republicans, Leaded by President Donald TrumpHe blamed the “Radical Left için for the last increase in political violence.
Jones WRIC TELLED TO ABC 8NEWSRichmond-Araa television station reached Gilbert and his family to apologize after texts appeared on Friday.
“When I read these words, I am sick in my stomach,” he said. “Absolutely drawbacks, disgusting, they have no place in Virginia, there is no room for the discourse of this country. Again, very deep, deeply sorry.”
However, there is no plan to end the campaign.
“We will continue to move,” he said. “This race was never related to me. He was always about what they deserved by the people and leaders of Virginia and the Chief Public Prosecutor.”
