Virginia AG Candidate Jay Jones Cancels Fundraiser Amid Backlash Over Violent Text Messages
Democratic Virginia Attorney General candidate Jay Jones canceled a fundraiser and will refund donations following widespread backlash over past violent text messages, including jokes about shooting a Republican lawmaker.
Jay Jones’s Texts Should Frighten Every Mom In America
The Daily Wire
Trump calls out Virginia AG hopeful for past extreme messages
World News Group
Overview
- Democratic Virginia AG candidate Jay Jones admitted sending violent text messages, including fantasizing about murdering then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and wishing death on another Republican lawmaker.
- The controversial texts also joked about saving "two bullets" for the Republican speaker of the Virginia House in 2022 and suggested police would stop killings if "a few" officers died.
- In response to the escalating backlash over these violent remarks, Jay Jones canceled a scheduled fundraiser, indicating his campaign is in crisis repair mode.
- Democratic donors who contributed to the now-canceled event were informed that their contributions would be fully refunded due to the ongoing controversy.
- Despite calls from figures like President Donald Trump to withdraw, Jones has refused to drop out, though the fundraiser cancellation highlights the significant impact of the scandal.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the significant political fallout from Democratic AG candidate Jay Jones' controversial texts. They highlight how Republicans are strategically "seizing on" this "violent rhetoric" to damage the Democratic ticket, particularly gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, ahead of crucial Virginia elections, underscoring the scandal's potential to reshape the electoral narrative.
"The clash over Jones’ violent rhetoric, shared in a 2022 private text message exchange published on Friday, comes just four weeks before voters in Virginia and New Jersey choose new state leaders."
Associated Press"The revelations have triggered a national backlash led by President Donald Trump, who demanded Jones immediately drop out of the race in an Oct. 5 post on Truth Social."
USA TODAYArticles (31)
FAQ
Jay Jones sent violent text messages, including fantasizing about murdering Republican lawmakers, such as then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert, and joking about saving bullets for them.
Jay Jones canceled a fundraiser and refunded donations due to widespread backlash over his violent text messages, indicating his campaign was in crisis repair mode.
Despite calls to withdraw, Jay Jones has refused to drop out of the race for Attorney General.
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