Virginia Democratic AG Candidate Apologizes for 2022 Texts Depicting Political Violence

‘Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach,’ the candidate said. ‘I am embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry.’

In this screenshot taken from video provided by WRIC News, Democratic candidate for attorney general Jay Jones speaks with an interviewer Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Richmond, Va., about widely condemned text messages he sent in 2022. WRIC via AP

Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate in Virginia’s attorney general race, has apologized for text messages he sent in 2022 in which he suggested that a prominent Republican receive “two bullets to the head.”

Jones is now on the defensive in a race where early voting is underway in Virginia weeks ahead of next month’s general election.