Republicans see Jones’ texts, government shutdown as opening in VA elections

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- National Republicans say they see an opening in Virginia’s elections. 

Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters told 8News that controversial text messages sent by Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, and the government shutdown in Washington could prove to be good news for Republicans at the ballot box. 

“It has given the Republicans new life in Virginia, and it’s helped us quite a bit,” Gruters told 8News about recently revealed messages Jones sent in 2022 suggesting former Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert be shot. 

Gruters called the messages “disgusting and disqualifying," while saying Jones is helping Republicans by staying in the race. 

“All these other races have been tightening up because nobody on the Democrat side wants to admit that Jay Jones is a terrible candidate for Virginia,” Gruters said.

Gruters added that with the government shutdown now in its third week, the GOP wants to continue to try and convince voters that it’s the Democrats who are to blame. 

“Seventeen days we’ve been shut down. Ten different votes, the Democrats have decided to unite to block the government from opening back up,” Gruters told 8News.

We reached out to the Democratic National Committee to set up an interview with their Chair, Ken Martin. We were told that Martin would be in Virginia before Election Day, and have plans to speak with him then. In the meantime, Martin provided this statement:

“Tens of thousands of hard-working Virginians are about to see their budgets squeezed as they begin missing paychecks this month due to the Trump shutdown. Donald Trump, the king of stiffing contractors and not paying his debts, is about to make the lives of Virginia’s federal workers even harder by attempting not to pay them at all. Meanwhile, Winsome Earle-Sears refuses to condemn Trump for using Virginia workers as bargaining chips. In contrast, Abigail Spanberger is laser-focused on standing up for Virginians, making Commonwealth lives easier, and creating a more affordable Virginia.” -- DNC Chair Ken Martin