By suzanne downing 
Leaders across the political spectrum, including Vice President JD Vance, are calling for Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones to withdraw from Virginia’s Nov. 4 election after leaked private text messages showed Jones promoting violence toward former House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
In a 2022 text exchange, Jones compared Gilbert to Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot, writing that Gilbert would “receive both bullets.”
In another message, after being told he had been “hoping Jennifer Gilbert’s [Todd Gilbert’s wife] children would die,” Jones allegedly replied, “Yes. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy.”
Jones has not denied sending the messages.
“I’m sure the people hyperventilating about sombrero memes will join me in calling for this very deranged person to drop out of the race,” Vice President Vance wrote Saturday on X.
Jones apologized Friday, saying he takes “full responsibility” for his words.
Republicans swiftly condemned the remarks. Virginia lieutenant governor nominee John Reid said Democrats “have a violence problem” and called Jones’ comments “disqualifying.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson called the messages “plainly disqualifying” and urging Jones to withdraw.
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears said the texts were “horrible to read” and declared that Jones “can never be Attorney General of Virginia.”
Incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares told reporters Saturday he did not accept Jones’ apology.
On the Democratic side, gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger said she spoke directly with Jones to express her “disgust” at the comments and told him he must take responsibility.
But the Virginia Democrat apparatchik fully supports Jones: “We are lined up, ten totes down — ready to organize, mobilize, and deliver voters for Jay and our entire Democratic ticket,” the party said. Here’s the entire release::
Jones, 35, is a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing Norfolk. He previously ran for attorney general in 2021 but lost in the Democratic primary to then-incumbent Mark Herring. Considered a rising star in Virginia Democratic politics, Jones has been seen as part of the next generation of party leadership in the state.
Suzanne Downing
When someone tells you who they are, then believe them.
Please tell me the way forward with these people.
You can’t accept any apologies from the vileness of his statements. You cannot change or have a conversation with someone who is so evil in thought.
May he be politically RIP.
No contrition, just pure evil. While this would spell the end of a political career for a human being, it’s a qualification enhancement for a Progressive. He will receive his just due on the Lord’s Day. We ALL will.
Pray for our nation. 🙏🇺🇸
A Bible verse comes to mind. One that has convicted me numerous times especially when driving.
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45, ESV