Jones, Miyares spar at Virginia Attorney General debate

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- From controversial text messages sent by Jay Jones to Jason Miyares’ alleged loyalty to President Donald Trump, both candidates for Virginia attorney general got their shots in during Thursday’s debate at the University of Richmond. 

Miyares, the Republican incumbent, laid into Jones over text messages Jones sent in 2022, saying a former Republican colleague and his kids should die over political disagreements. 

“Jay, if you were to apply to be a line processor -- in not just my office, [but] any attorney general office in the country -- you would not pass a background check,” Miyares said.

Jones apologized for the texts early in Thursday’s debate. 

“Let me be very clear: I am ashamed, I am embarrassed and I’m sorry,” he said.

Democrat Jay Jones, left, and Republican incumbent Jason Miyares shake hands at the start of the Virginia attorney general debate in Richmond, Va., Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (Mike Kropf/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP, Pool)

Republican incumbent Jason Miyares participates in the Virginia attorney general debate with Democrat Jay Jones in Richmond, Va., Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (Mike Kropf/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP, Pool)

Democrat Jay Jones, left, and Republican incumbent Jason Miyares participate in the Virginia attorney general debate in Richmond, Va., Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (Mike Kropf/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP, Pool)

Democrat Jay Jones participates in the Virginia attorney general debate with Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in Richmond, Va., Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (Mike Kropf/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP, Pool)

Jones then tried to turn voters' attention to Miyares' alleged loyalty to President Donald Trump. 

“For the last nine months, Jason’s had 50 chances to sue the administration -- to protect us, to protect our workers, to protect our healthcare, to protect our K-12 funding, funding for law enforcement ... and his office hasn’t done a thing, because he’s too weak and too scared to stand up to the president,” Jones said. 

MORE: Protesters outside of Virginia Attorney General debate want Miyares to ‘stand up to Trump’

Miyares countered by highlighting his accomplishments in office, while saying Jones’ voting record in the General Assembly proved he can’t be Virginia’s top cop. 

“He supports the early felon release program signed into law by Ralph Northam that has released 9,000 felons into our communities -- 50% of them have already been rearrested,” Miyares said.

The candidates also discussed reproductive rights, energy policy and more. 

You can watch the full Virginia Attorney General Debate here. For more of 8News’ coverage of Virginia’s elections, click here.