Multiple Virginia sheriffs call for Jerrauld "Jay" Jones to drop attorney general bid after controversial texts surface showing calls for violence against rivals.

The embattled Democratic nominee for Virginia attorney general returned to the campaign trail Wednesday as a major state police group called on him not to take office if he wins in November following the disclosure of violent text messages.

More Senate Democrats dodged questions on whether Virginia candidate Jay Jones should drop out of his race for attorney general over resurfaced text messages fantasizing about violence.

Democrat Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones is facing mounting pressure from Republicans to end his candidacy due to violent text messages he sent.On

California Rep. Nancy Pelosi says it’s “up to” Virginia Democrats to decide if Jay Jones should exit the attorney general race after text messages from 2022 show him suggesting a colleague should be shot.

What began as a quiet October Friday in Virginia politics erupted into a full-blown national scandal when screenshots of private, three-year old text messages showing Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones fantasizing about shooting then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his children were made public.

Jones has been under fire since his disturbing Aug. 8, 2022, text messages to Republican delegate Carrie Coyner were leaked to National Review. In the messages, Jones likened then-Republican state House Speaker Todd Gilbert to mass-murdering dictators Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot.

Winsome Earle-Sears releases ad attacking gubernatorial opponent Abigail Spanberger over declining to call for Jay Jones to drop out.