Spanberger stays silent on both controversies as Virginia voters go to the polls

With just weeks until Virginians head to the voting booth, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger has been rocked by two controversies: a violent texting scandal involving a fellow Democrat and new criticism of her stance on transgender bathroom policies.

2022 candidate for Attorney General of the State of Virginia Jay Jones told a colleague via text message that he wanted violence against former Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his children. The recently revealed private messages sparked outrage among Republicans and unease among Democrats, forcing Spanberger through one of the most volatile moments of his campaign.

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Spanberger’s cautious tone continued during last Thursday’s debate, where she faced off against GOP candidate Winsome Earle-Sears.

“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.”

She dodged several rounds of questions throughout the debate about whether she still supported Jones.

Spanberger’s campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

A separation of Winsome Earle-Sears and Abigail Spanberger. (Pool/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, fellow Democrats have rallied behind Jones, emphasizing forgiveness and unity as the campaign enters its home stretch.

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.”

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Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., did not respond when Fox News Digital repeatedly asked whether Jay Jones should end his campaign. Warner was also pressed on whether he would seek the return of a $25,000 donation from Jones in August or express regret over the show of support, but once again declined to answer.

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)

After the texts were revealed, the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee rushed to defend Jones, urging Virginians to “line up behind” him.

“We are lined up, ten feet down, ready to organize, mobilize and deliver voters for Jay and our entire Democratic slate,” the statement said. “Recent press may have highlighted the mistakes of the past. We say, let those who have not sinned cast the first stone. Jay Jones has taken responsibility, apologized and shown that he is committed to serving with integrity and responsibility, as his public record already demonstrates.”

Jones has since apologizedcalling the comments “embarrassing and shameful,” and said he had personally contacted Gilbert and his family.

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Last week, the president Donald Trump called on Jones to drop out of the race, calling the text messages “sick” and “insane.”

“Democrat Jay Jones should withdraw from the race immediately and the people of Virginia should continue to have a great Attorney General in Jason Miyares who, by the way, has my complete and utter support,” Trump wrote in an Oct. 5 Truth Social article.

This latest revelation comes amid heightened political tensions and a growing number of incidents that have fueled concerns about violence in national politics.

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Abigail Spanberger’s campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. (Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

On a separate issue, Spanberger also sidestepped his position on transgender issues.

Earlier this month, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive directive ensuring that bathrooms, locker rooms and other intimate spaces remain segregated by sex assigned at birth. The directive also asks the State Board of Health to ban biological males from competing on women’s sports teams.

When asked flatly whether she would rescind this directive, Spanberger refused to give a definitive answer.

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“My answer is that in each local community, decisions should be made between parents, educators and teachers in each community. They should not be dictated by politicians,” Spanberger responded. “I am the mother of three girls who attend Virginia public schools, and nothing is more important to me than their safety and experience in schools,” Spanberger added in response to questions about her stance on transgender issues.

Alec Schemmel of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.