Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) lamented text messages sent by Democratic state attorney general candidate Jay Jones talking about violence against former state House Speaker Todd Gilbert (R), calling the correspondence “demented.”
“I thought this was a joke because no one could write this. This is demented and here we have the Democrat candidate running for attorney general, the top cop in Virginia, wishing not only that he had two bullets to put in a guy’s head but then he wishes death on his children,” Youngkin said in an interview Monday on “Fox & Friends.”
“But that is where the violent left of the Democrat Party is. This is where these folks are,” he continued.
The messages, which were sent in 2022, were first reported by the National Review, and the texts were later published by the Republican Attorneys General Association.
“Three people, two bullets,” Jones said in a text to state House Del. Carrie Coyner (R) about Gilbert.
“Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot,” Jones wrote. “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”
“Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time,” Jones told Coyner.
Coyner, in response, told Jones, who at the time did not hold an elected office, to stop.
Youngkin joins a chorus of Republicans across the country, including President Trump, calling on Jones to end his campaign
The development is being labeled as an “October Surprise” in Virginia’s off-year elections, which have been viewed as favorable for Democrats. But the news comes as the country reels over an uptick in political violence following the assasination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last month.
“We had Charlie Kirk assassinated and so many folks celebrated it in the far left. We’ve had two Democrats threaten to murder two of our delegates running for office in Virginia,” Youngkin said Monday.
Jones apologized Friday for the messages, stating he reached out to Gilbert and his family to express regret.
“I am so deeply, deeply sorry for what I said and I wish that it hadn’t happened and I would take it back if I could,” Jones told WRIC, which is owned by The Hill’s parent company Nexstar Media Group.
Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, a former House representative, released a statement following the news of the text messaging, condemning the correspondence.
“After learning of these comments earlier today, I spoke frankly with Jay about my disgust with what he said and texted,” Spanberger said. “I made clear to Jay that he must fully take responsibility for his words. What I have also made clear is that as a candidate–and as the next governor of the commonwealth, I will always condemn violent language in our politics.”
But Youngkin said Monday the apology wasn’t enough.
“What’s shocking also is that after calling for the normal apology, the Democrat candidates Abigail Spanberger and the rest of them were out campaigning this weekend like it was nothing,” the governor said. “They have got to call on this guy to resign, step down, get out of this race in disgrace because this is beyond disqualifying. I mean, they’re asking people to vote for this guy to be the attorney general of the commonwealth of Virginia?”
“This is nuts and is why the Democrat Party has lost touch with where America is today,” he added.
