Sheriffs, commonwealth’s attorneys call Jay Jones ‘unfit’ to be attorney general

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Multiple sheriffs' departments and commonwealth's attorneys spoke out against Jay Jones after his violent text messages resurfaced last week.

On Thursday, Oct. 9, state law enforcement leaders held a press conference at the Republican Party of Virginia Headquarters on Jay Jones’ unfitness as candidate for state attorney general. 

The text messages, first shared by the National Review on Friday, Oct. 3, were sent to Carrie Coyner (R-Chesterfield) in August 2022.

Jones’ messages described a hypothetical scenario where former House Speaker Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) would be shot instead of the violent historical dictators Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot. Jones also wished violence on Gilbert’s children.

Chesterfield County Sheriff Carl Leonard spoke about the controversy.

“The comments would be hateful, atrocious and disgusting for anybody to make, but for someone to make them who seeks to be attorney general of this great Commonwealth is appalling,” Leonard said.

Hopewell Co. Sheriff Travis Stanley called the remarks disgusting and disqualifying.

“This kind of behavior isn't just unprofessional, it's dangerous. It makes you wonder, was Jay Jones ever in legislation to serve the people, or was it all just a steppingstone towards personal gain?” Stanley said. “This election is about who we can trust to uphold the dignity of the office of Attorney General. One candidate has a proven record of defending Virginians and standing with law enforcement. The other has a record of hatred, hypocrisy, and moral failure.”

Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Bethany Harrison said the messages call Jones’ trust into question.

“Can you trust Delegate Jones to give comfort to a mother whose son died in her arms, knowing what he has said? Or is there a doubt in your mind? That doubt is your conscience telling you it is not right,” Harrison said.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) said Jones' violent messages are inexcusable but don't represent Jones' character. 

"These comments are indefensible; they shouldn't cross your mind, much less be expressed privately, even privately to someone. But if I put those very indefensible comments against 25 years of knowing and respecting Jay [Jones], I feel like the balance weighs toward the 25 years," he said.

8news reached out to Jones’s campaign for comment and have not heard back.