Virginians are rightly horrified by the despicable comments Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones made in a handful of 2022 text messages recently released to the public.
In an exchange first reported by the National Review, Jones joked to former Republican Del. Carrie Coyner about murdering then-Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert and, in a follow-up phone call with Coyner, theorized about Gilbert’s wife seeing their children die so Gilbert would reconsider his political views.
There is no defense for Jones using such vile, hateful rhetoric, even in jest. The former delegate from Norfolk did not deny the exchanges and, after they were made public, took “full responsibility” for them and said he reached out directly to Gilbert to apologize to him, his wife Jennifer and their children.
“I’m so deeply, deeply sorry for what I said,” he said during an Oct. 3 interview with Richmond TV station WRIC. “I wish that it hadn’t happened, and I would take it back if I could.”
He may wish that, but it did happen and he cannot take back such revolting sentiments sent so cavalierly to a colleague. The revelations could well cost Jones an election in which most polls showed him with a narrow lead over Republican incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares.
Miyares was among those who called Jones’ behavior disqualifying and urged the Democrat to abandon his bid for office. The chorus grew louder last weekend when President Donald Trump endorsed Miyares and called for Jones to drop out.
Early voting began weeks ago. As of Friday, more than 475,000 Virginians had already voted. It is too late for Jones to be removed from the ballot, and he shows no inclination to exit the race.
So the judgment as to whether his behavior is disqualifying will therefore be left to the voters, who must weigh those actions and his vision for serving as attorney general against those of his opponent.
While outrage over Jones’ immaturity and questions about his judgment are eminently justified, what applies to one must apply for all if we are to raise the level of debate in our country, our commonwealth and our communities. And it is hypocritical for Republicans to condemn Jones for his words while continuing to defend similar rhetoric — and worse — from the GOP standard bearer and party leader, President Donald Trump.
One cannot help but see the obvious hypocrisy of savaging Jones on the one hand while defending Trump’s words and actions on the other. The president trumpets his hate on a daily basis. He belittles and bullies his opponents and, sometimes, his allies if they aren’t sufficiently loyal. His words inspired thousands of people to storm the U.S. Capitol in 2021, injure more than 140 members of law enforcement and cause members of Congress and Vice President Mike Pence to flee for their lives.
Trump isn’t the only Republican to frequently employ violent rhetoric while excoriating others for the same. Nor is Jones the only Democrat to express such revolting thoughts while pointing the finger at the GOP. Both sides are very much at fault for dragging our public discourse into the sewer.
Why does it persist? Largely because voters reward such behavior. They elected Trump to a second term despite — or, for some supports, because of — how he dehumanizes others in the public sphere. Virginians may well do the same for Jones who, unlike the president, has expressed remorse for his actions, though he did so with an election on the line.
We need officials who are willing, if not eager, to turn down the temperature and who understand that even the most hotly contested policy differences do not make us enemies. Virginia needs those who hold elected office to work on behalf of the whole commonwealth and that requires cooperation, respect and temperance.
Jones’ apology suggests he understands his terrible mistake, but can be trusted to bring those qualities to the attorney general’s office in greater abundance than Miyares? Voters will render their decision Nov. 4.
