Spanberger refuses to call on Jay Jones to exit race during Thursday night debate
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Democratic Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger was grilled repeatedly during Thursday’s debate over her continued support of attorney general candidate Jay Jones after text messages emerged in which she fantasized about putting “two bullets” in the head of Republican Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
Both debate moderators and his Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, repeatedly asked Spanberger if he still supported Jones, but Spanberger did not publicly say he no longer supported him.
Spanberger also did not say when he became aware of the inflammatory text messages, which included violent language about Gilbert’s children.
“Jay Jones pleaded guilty to murder in the murder of a man who was a former speaker and his 2- and 5-year-old children – Abigail. You have little daughters. Is he going to have to pull the trigger? Is that what he’s going to do?” Earle-Sears asked. “Please ask him to withdraw from the race. Have some courage.”
JOE SCARBOROUGH TOLD DEM CANDIDATE JAY JONES TO LEAVE THE RACE BECAUSE OF VIOLENT COMMENTS AGAINST GOP REPRESENTATIVES
Virginia attorney general candidate Jerrauld “Jay” Jones speaks at an event in Norfolk, Virginia. (Trevor Metcalfe/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
The text scandal has proven to be a major flashpoint in the race as concerns about violent political rhetoric reach new heights in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination and two assassination attempts on President Donald Trump.
“We just want to clarify, you mean as of right now, do you still support Jay Jones as attorney general?” the moderator asked Spanberger.
Spanberger said, “As of now, I say each voter must make their own individual decision. I am running for governor. I am responsible for the words I say, the actions I take, and the policies I put forward.” “I am responsible for the policies I put forward and the work I will tirelessly try to do for the nation.”
LIBERAL MEDIA BELIEVES DEM VIRGINIA AG SCANDAL
Virginia Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (left) is running against Democrat Abigail Spanberger (right) in the state’s governor’s race in November. (Getty Images)
Spanberger has repeatedly stated that he condemned this rhetoric as soon as he learned of it and that he would condemn violent rhetoric at every opportunity.
Spanberger, meanwhile, accused Earle-Sears of only condemning violent rhetoric that targets her own political party, but not when it targets her opponent’s party. He gave an example from a memorial service for Kirk last month in which Trump said, “I hate my opponent and I don’t want what’s best for them.”
“It’s important for candidates to always condemn violence. … We must always be focused and forceful in condemning violence,” Spanberger said, amid questions about whether he would impeach Jones. “My opponent, unfortunately, only condemns violence when his side is the target.”
Winsome Earle-Sears, Virginia’s Republican gubernatorial candidate, center, during a campaign event at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department in Vienna on July 1, 2025. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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In response to those accusations, Earle-Sears did not condemn the president’s remarks but said it was something she would not say personally.
“As I’ve said before, I’m not going to say that,” Earle-Sears said of Trump’s comments.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
