Democrats criticized for ‘staggering’ silence after publication of Virginia AG hopeful’s violent texts

Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for Virginia governor, declined to call on her party’s attorney general nominee, Jay Jones, to drop out of the race during a debate Thursday night. She is among many other Democrats who also refused to do so after text messages surfaced in which Jones fantasized about killing his Republican colleague in 2022.

Jones, a former delegate from Norfolk, Virginia, has faced growing calls — mostly from Republicans — to withdraw from the race for Virginia attorney general. But Virginia Democrats and other party leaders across the country have refused to bow to pressure to demand that Jones drop out.

Jones’ text message scandal has become a flashpoint in Virginia’s elections, especially since it occurred at a time of heightened sensitivity to inflammatory and violent political rhetoric following the assassination of Charlie Kirk and two assassination attempts on President Donald Trump.

SPANBERGER EXCORIATED ONLINE AS A “COWARD” FOR REFUSING TO ARREST “DISCHARGED” JAY JONES

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., remained silent when asked repeatedly by Fox News Digital whether Jones should drop out of the race. Warner was also pressed on whether he would demand that Jones return a $25,000 donation made to his campaign in August, or whether he regretted the show of support in light of the controversy over Jones’ violent political speech, but he once again looked away and remained silent.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., was also unwilling to ask Jones to drop out. He told Fox News Digital he’s still a supporter of the embattled candidate for his state’s attorney general seat. “I think those statements were out of character for him, and he apologized. I wish other people in public life would sincerely apologize for things,” the 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee said. “I’ve known Jay Jones for 25 years.”

Several other Democrats outside of Virginia who were approached by Fox News Digital also walked away or refused to respond when asked about the Jones controversy, which revolves around a text message exchange he had in 2022 with another lawmaker.

During the texts, Jones dreamed of putting “two bullets” into the head of Todd Gilbert, then Speaker of the Virginia House. He also joked about killing Gilbert’s children.

“Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot. Gilbert is shot twice in the head,” Jones wrote. In a later text, Jones also wrote: “Spoiler: put Gilbert on the crew with the two worst people you know and he gets both bullets every time.” »

“Jay. Please stop,” the lawmaker receiving Jones’ tests said at the time. Jones has since apologized, calling the remarks “embarrassing and shameful,” and said he had personally reached out to Gilbert and his family.

Jay Jones, a candidate for Virginia attorney general in 2025, has come under fire for a series of text messages calling for the deaths of political opponents and remarks about police officers. (Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

“I really don’t know the situation in Virginia,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, when asked if Jones should drop out.

“I haven’t thought about it,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called the texts “horrible,” but when asked if Jones should give up, Wyden said, “I’ll leave it at that, thank you.”

SANDERS AND DEM LEADERS AVOID QUESTIONS ABOUT VIRGINIA CANDIDATE WHO BLAMED ABOUT GOP LEGISLATOR’S SHOOTING

Other Democrats approached by Fox News, such as Sens. Andy Kim, D-N.J., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., condemned political violence but admitted they were not following the case involving Jones.

“I can’t say I did my due diligence to really understand, but what I will say is what I saw was absolutely horrific,” Kim said. “I hope that at a time when there is so much concern about political violence, we can say, ‘Yes, we need to make sure that we hold ourselves to high standards, especially for those who are elected.’”

Republican responses to the Jones text scandal have been very different. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas called the text messages “stunning, especially given the wave of political violence we’ve seen.”

“There are far too many on the left who celebrate political violence,” Cruz continued, adding: “When Charlie Kirk was assassinated, we saw leftists, university professors, left-wing teachers, politicians, journalists celebrating this heinous assassination.”

“And all the Democrats in Washington turn a blind eye,” Cruz added. “In my opinion, the idea that someone advocates the killing of children because he disagrees politically with their father is patently inappropriate for public office, particularly that of a law enforcement officer in Virginia. And I wish there was even one Democrat with the courage to say that publicly.”

From left: Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-I., Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. (Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“It’s really sickening to call for the assassination of a rival, to call for the death of his children. I mean, I think, hopefully, we can all agree that this is beyond the bounds of what is reasonable here, and that he should resign,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., when asked about the controversy. “What’s surprising though is I haven’t heard from any Democrats – I hope you ask other Democrats this question. I haven’t heard anyone talk about it, which is pretty sad.”

During a debate Thursday night between Republican and Democratic candidates for Virginia governor, Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears repeatedly pressed her Democratic opponent, Spanberger, to call on Jones to step down.

“Jay Jones advocated the murder of Abigail, the murder of a man, a former speaker, and his children aged 2 and 5. You have little girls. Would he have to pull the trigger? Is that what would do that?” asked Earle-Sears Thursday evening. “Please ask him to withdraw from the race. Have courage.”

Peter Pinedo and Charles Creitz of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.