Delegate says Jay Jones ‘joked about shooting’ former Virginia GOP House Speaker in text messages

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Republican delegate Carrie Coyner claims that Democratic nominee for attorney general Jay Jones sent text messages to her saying, in a hypothetical scenario, House Speaker Todd Gilbert would be shot.

Republican House of Delegates candidate Carrie Coyner, the incumbent running for Virginia's District 75, which includes Hopewell, and parts of Chesterfield and Prince George counties, provided a statement to 8News on Oct. 3 regarding alleged text messages exchanged between Jones and herself three years ago.

According to the date shared by Coyner, Jones had resigned from his seat serving the Virginia House of Delegates for the 89th district, which includes parts of Norfolk, about seven months prior to focus on family. He served alongside Coyner during his time as a delegate.

"On August 8, 2022 I had a text conversation with Jay Jones, what he said was not just disturbing but disqualifying for anyone who wants to seek public office," Coyner said. "Jay Jones wished violence on the children of a colleague and joked about shooting Todd Gilbert. It’s disgusting and unbecoming of any public official."

The following text exchange was shared by the National Review on Thursday, Oct. 3:

Jones: Three people, two bullets

Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot

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

Coyner: Jay

Please stop

Jones: Lol

Ok, ok

Coyner: It really bothers me when you talk about hurting people or wishing death on them

It isn’t ok

No matter who they are

Jones provided a statement regarding the text, in which he did not deny the text's existence and acknowledged that he had sent regrettable text messages before.

"Like all people, I've sent text messages that I regret and I believe that violent rhetoric has no place in our politics," Jones said. "Let’s be clear about what is happening in the Attorney General race right now: Jason Miyares is dropping smears through Trump-controlled media organizations to assault my character and rescue his desperate campaign. This is a strategy that ensures Jason Miyares will continue to be accountable to Donald Trump, not the people of Virginia. This race is about whether Trump can control Virginia or Virginians control Virginia.”

Jones faces incumbent Jason Miyares (R) in the race for Virginia's attorney general.

8News has reached out to Coyner to receive the original message.

Former Congresswoman and Democratic candidate for governor Abigail Spanberger issued the following statement about this incident:

"After learning of these comments earlier today, I spoke frankly with Jay about my disgust with what he had said and texted. 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 our Commonwealth, I will always condemn violent language in our politics."

Current lieutenant governor and Republican candidate for governor Winsome Earle-Sears also shared a statement, which she posted on X:

"This is horrible to read and should be wholly disqualifying of someone running for an office that protects the people of Virginia. Jay Jones’ horrific comments are a symptom of the entire Democratic Party and his running mate, Abigail Spanberger, needs to call on him to drop out. Attorney General Jason Miyares has served the people of Virginia with honor and dignity, and will continue to do so come November. Jay Jones can never be Attorney General of Virginia."