On Jay Jones, Virginia Democrats have to think like Virginians
Fix the problem, do not run from it.
Virginia Democrats have a problem. The Democratic Party’s candidate for attorney general, Jay Jones, has been outed for texting messages wishing death and pain on former Virginia House Speaker, Republican, Todd Gilbert. Jay Jones sent the messages to another Republican colleague in the General Assembly, Carrie Coyner.1 That is horrific and weird. He texted a Republican about wishing political violence on another Republican, because apparently, he felt he had a good enough relationship with her that she would be fine with it. I repeat: this is weird. This is bad. This is not acceptable. Not sent to Democrats, not sent about Democrats, not the GOP, no one. Coyner exposed the horrible messages. But after the assassination of Minnesota Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Virginia must take a stand against political violence. The texts are bad enough on their own, but in context they cannot be allowed to stand. That is okay. Virginians are supposed to lead the way. We have to make a point.
Democrats do not want a Republican attorney general—especially when there are serious issues regarding federalism, the constitutionality of actions by the Trump administration, and when Democrats are projected to win by 5–10 points in the three commonwealth-wide races, including governor and lieutenant governor.
Okay, I get it.
Democrats have condemned Jay Jones but dropping him as a candidate seems like risking too much electorally. That is wrong. Sticking by him risks more. Democrats have universally condemned him, but now he must be defenestrated. That does not mean handing the race to the GOP.
There is a solution for Democrats, who are projected to maintain control of the General Assembly and win the governorship and the lieutenant governor’s race: Jay Jones must preemptively resign.
Let me explain.
Jay Jones stays in the race but announces he will not serve.
He writes a postdated resignation (January 17, 2026, is Virginia inauguration day) and hands it to Abigail Spanberger the Democratic candidate for governor. He should do this immediately.
Then he campaigns for the attorney general’s office on behalf of a Democrat to be named later. But here is how that would be decided:
Virginia Code § 24.2-213. Filling vacancy in office of Attorney General.
If a vacancy occurs in the office of Attorney General during the session of the General Assembly, the General Assembly shall fill the vacancy by a majority vote of the total membership. If a vacancy occurs during a recess of the General Assembly, the Governor shall appoint a successor to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term or until the end of thirty days after the commencement of the next session of the General Assembly, whichever happens first. At that next session, the General Assembly shall fill the vacancy by election by a majority vote of the total membership for the unexpired portion of the term.
Code 1950, § 24-153; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-85; 1993, c. 641.
If a newly sworn Virginia attorney general pre-files a resignation effective one minute after taking the oath on January 17, 2026, the office becomes vacant at that moment. Because the General Assembly will likely be in regular session, the General Assembly would fill the vacancy by election “by a majority vote of the total membership” —probably his opponent in the primary Shannon Taylor — but they are within their rights to pick someone else based on conditions in January. If, for some reason, the vacancy occurs while the Assembly is in recess, the governor — most likely Spanberger — makes a temporary appointment that lasts until 30 days after the next session begins, when the General Assembly then elects a successor for the remainder of the term. So, Democrats can still hold the office if they play it straight with voters.
This solves the problem for them.
They take a stand against political violence
They impose a penalty on Jay Jones
They are upfront with the voters and have a chance to win the race.
Otherwise, they contribute to the idea that “the Left” and the Democratic Party are hypocrites about political violence. Virginia Democrats can do the opposite; they can win on all points by thinking like Virginians and solving the problem.
Democratic candidate’s ‘abhorrent’ texts threaten to shake up bellwether Virginia elections - POLITICO https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/04/virginia-elections-jay-jones-texts-00594261