What Did Jay Jones Say?

Jay Jones, Virginia's attorney general-elect, became embroiled in a major controversy during his 2025 campaign after violent text messages he sent in 2022 were publicly revealed. In those texts, Jones made graphic statements about Todd Gilbert, a prominent Republican legislator in Virginia, suggesting he should be shot and writing that Gilbert deserved "two bullets to the head," along with violent remarks about Gilbert's children. The specific phrasing included a hypothetical scenario: "Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot".

The Scandal That Shook the Campaign

The controversy erupted in October 2025 when the National Review first reported the text messages from 2022. The revelation disrupted Jones' campaign for Virginia attorney general and ignited intense discussions about political violence, drawing condemnation from both political parties. Republicans, including then-President Donald Trump, demanded that Jones withdraw from the race, while Democrats condemned his remarks but stopped short of urging him to quit just one month before the election.

The race for attorney general in Virginia, typically a lower-profile contest held during off years, suddenly gained national attention due to the severity of the messages. Jones also faced scrutiny over a reckless driving conviction from 2022 during the final days of the campaign.

Jones' Public Apology and Response

Throughout the campaign and particularly during the October 16, 2025 debate against Republican incumbent Jason Miyares, Jones expressed remorse for his actions. He stated during his opening remarks: "I want to be unequivocal: I feel ashamed. I am embarrassed. And I apologize". Jones extended his apologies to Speaker Gilbert, his family, his own family, and every Virginian, acknowledging that while he cannot undo his words, he would be accountable for his actions.

Jones also stated during the campaign that he felt "embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry" for the texts. However, he did not address the text messages during his election night victory speech.

Voter Reaction and Electoral Outcome

Despite the scandal, Jones won the race in November 2025, though the messages significantly impacted voter perception. According to an NBC News Exit Poll, over 40% of voters in the attorney general race believed the texts disqualified Jones from holding the position, and among those voters, 90% supported his opponent Miyares. Conversely, 37% of voters found the texts "concerning but not disqualifying," and 88% of this group voted for Jones.

His significant margin of victory led Virginia Democrats to believe that voters had processed the situation and moved on. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that Jones "has rightly apologized" for his messages, noting that his comments were "condemned across the board by Democrats" in Virginia and beyond.

Political Fallout and Future Implications

As Jones prepares to assume office, he continues dealing with the ramifications of the scandal. Outgoing Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin expressed deep concerns about Jones' ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the role based on the texts, calling them "abhorrent" and stating, "You cannot enter this position while advocating for violence against a political adversary, their children, or law enforcement".

Republicans remain firm that the scandal is wholly disqualifying, with critics suggesting Jones poses "a significant vulnerability" for the administration right from the outset. Political strategists believe Jones will need to prove himself through his performance as attorney general, demonstrating through his work that he is the right choice for the role.

TLDR: Jay Jones sent violent text messages in 2022 suggesting Republican legislator Todd Gilbert should be shot and deserved "two bullets to the head," including violent remarks about Gilbert's children. The texts surfaced during his 2025 Virginia attorney general campaign, sparking national controversy. Despite calls from Trump and Republicans to drop out, Jones apologized publicly, expressed shame and embarrassment, and went on to win the election in November 2025, though over 40% of voters believed the texts disqualified him from office. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.