Virginia sheriffs demand Jay Jones withdraw from race for attorney general

Several Virginia law enforcement officials are calling on attorney general candidate Jerrauld “Jay” Jones to drop out of the race, as a former top law enforcement official turned senator told Fox News Digital, it’s unthinkable that many Democrats will remain silent on the issue.

The Virginia Law Enforcement Sheriffs’ Association, representing the 86 sheriffs of independent counties and cities across the Old Dominion, wrote a letter Wednesday to Jones’ campaign headquarters in Williamsburg, Va., demanding he withdraw from the race after texts surfaced describing him contemplating the murder of a former GOP leader.

“It’s really sickening,” Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.

“Calling for the assassination of a rival, calling for the death of his children: I hope we can all agree that this exceeds the bounds of what is reasonable here and that he should resign,” Schmitt, who previously served as state attorney general, told Show Me.

Schmitt added that it’s unfortunate but telling that many Democrats haven’t said anything about it.

It’s “pretty sad,” he said.

“STUNNING” SILENCE: DEMOCRATS STRIKED TO KEEP MOM OVER CANDIDATE WHO FANTASIZED ABOUT MURDER

Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones was convicted of reckless driving in 2022. (Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

While Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., defended Jones’ candidacy at Fox News Digital, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., ignored questions, as did Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Chris Coons, D-Del., from other reporters, recent video shows.

Schmitt’s tenure in Jefferson City, Missouri, was particularly contentious against the Biden administration, which he sued on several occasions.

The most notable case involved alleged collusion between the federal government and social media companies to censor content they disagreed with. Another lawsuit sought to challenge bans on new oil and gas leasing.

Back in Virginia, several sheriffs who run the commonwealth’s association wrote to Jones asking him to leave the race.

Opening the letter was Grayson County, Va., Sheriff Richard Vaughn, president of the sheriffs’ association that patrols a rural county centered on Independence and Mouth of Wilson, who said Jones’ statements were “disgusting” and “unacceptable” for someone seeking to become Virginia’s top law enforcement official.

“Our association saw the text messages in which you called for violence against a family to include their young children,” the letter reads. “Furthermore, you reportedly stated that if more police officers were killed, it would reduce the shooting of civilians.”

JOE SCARBOROUGH TELLS DEM CANDIDATE JAY JONES TO LEAVE RACE FOLLOWING VIOLENT COMMENTS AGAINST GOP LEGISLATOR

The letter, further signed by officials from the association representing Virginia’s Campbell County – surrounding Lynchburg, Mecklenburg County – which includes South Hill and Wise County on the Kentucky line, says calls for violence are unbecoming of a law enforcement officer.

“We will not follow an individual who made such vile statements against the citizens and men and women in uniform who work hard every day, risking their lives, to combat the violence you advocate against them,” they wrote.

“Sir, you must hold yourself accountable and withdraw from the race for Attorney General immediately.”

JAY JONES SAID IF MORE POLICE WERE KILLED, IT WOULD REDUCE CIVILIAN SHOOTINGS, VIRGINIA LEGISLATOR SAYS

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is the GOP nominee for reelection, followed the letter with other reactions he received from other law enforcement agencies across the commonwealth.

Smyth County, Virginia, Sheriff Chip Schuler joined the district attorney from the Marion County seat in tearing into Jones.

“The office of Attorney General is not a political prize – it is the highest legal authority in the Commonwealth,” Schuler and Commonwealth Attorney Bucky Blevins said in a statement to Miyares’ campaign.

“The attorney general must embody discipline, restraint and integrity,” they added. “Every deputy sheriff and every prosecutor in this Commonwealth is held to this standard every day. Those who seek to lead us must meet, not escape, this same measure of accountability.”

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“For the sake of the Commonwealth and the credibility of our justice system, we believe Mr. Jones should withdraw his candidacy,” Blevins and Schuler concluded.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Jones campaign for comment.