Democratic Virginia Attorney General candidate Jay Jones is under intense pressure to withdraw from the race after leaked private messages revealed violent fantasies targeting a Republican lawmaker. In texts confirmed by former colleague Carrie Coyner, Jones expressed a desire to shoot former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert “two bullets to the head” and urinate on his grave. The messages, sent in August 2022, have sparked bipartisan outrage.

The texts also included deeply disturbing comments about Gilbert’s family. Jones allegedly said Gilbert’s wife should “watch her child die,” arguing that only personal suffering would cause conservatives to change policy. Coyner, who received the messages, urged him to stop, calling the comments deeply inappropriate. Jones reportedly dismissed her concerns, replying with “Lol” and “Ok, ok.”

Jones, a former Virginia state delegate, is now the Democratic nominee for attorney general, running against Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in November. The messages were first reported by National Review and later verified by Coyner, who said the comments were “disgusting and disqualifying” for any public official.

The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), Vice President JD Vance, and House Speaker Mike Johnson have all called for Jones to drop out. Vance described the remarks as “deranged,” while Johnson said there is “no conceivable justification for wishing violence against a political opponent and their children.”

The scandal adds to growing scrutiny over a 2022 reckless driving case involving Jones. Miyares accused him of avoiding jail time by falsely claiming 500 hours of “community service” with his own PAC, raising further questions about his fitness for office.