Virginia’s Democratic leadership is continuing to rally behind attorney general nominee Jay Jones, even after the release of 2022 text messages in which he used violent and inflammatory rhetoric toward Republican leaders.
The Virginia Beach Democratic Committee released a statement affirming their support, citing Jones’s public apology and his past record. Meanwhile, gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger publicly condemned the content of the messages but declined to call for his withdrawal from the race.
Jones, who previously served in the Virginia House of Delegates, is facing Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in the November election. The controversy has added fresh volatility to a campaign already viewed as tightly contested.