There are defining moments in political campaigns where how a candidate responds to a particular situation can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Much like Glenn Youngkin (R) did with Terry McAuliffe (D) in 2021 after McAuliffe’s campaign imploded in late September of that year, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) may have just written his ticket to victory with how he has responded to the Jay Jones texting scandal.
Jones, who is Miyares’s Democratic opponent in the upcoming November election, is having a campaign implosion himself after it was revealed on Friday that he sent a series of texts in 2022 to a former GOP colleague in the Virginia House of Delegates. The texts showed Jones fantasizing about killing another former GOP colleague, then-Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert, and Gilbert’s children dying in his wife Jennifer’s arms.
For those who missed them, the texts are below:
Jones, as we also noted, did not do himself any favors with his initial response after the story broke, referring to the news as a “smear” campaign coordinated by Miyares and accusing NRO, the first to report the story, of being a “Trump-controlled media organization” even though they’ve frequently been critical of President Trump. Jones also didn’t include an apology in his first statement.
In a later statement, however, and in an interview done Friday night, he profusely apologized to Gilbert and said he wished he could take what he said back. But he stopped short of doing what some Republican political figures in Virginia, including Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is also the gubernatorial nominee, have suggested he do: drop out of the race.
Miyares did not react to the report until a Saturday press conference, saying that he did not accept Jones’ apology because it was one he should have made at the time he sent the texts but didn’t:
“I don’t accept his apology. I don’t accept his apology because he had a chance then to apologize. Jay Jones is sorry only after it made the news. Jay Jones regrets it only after it has endangered his campaign. Jay Jones said he would take it back, only because that’s what he needs to do to try to stay on this ticket.”
But it was Miyares’s more formal response that was especially worth waiting for:
The Attorney General is Virginia’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer. That authority must always be exercised with neutrality, integrity, and character because that’s the only way every Virginian can trust the system meant to protect them. With the recent revelations, it’s clear Jay Jones has shown he’s reckless, biased, and willing to trade away his integrity, disqualifying himself from ever serving as Attorney General.Jay Jones wished for the violent death of a political opponent and then fantasized about that opponent’s children dying in their mother’s arms. When confronted, he doubled down, saying that kind of grief and pain would be a good thing if it advanced his politics. And politics aside, one has to be coming from a dark place to advocate the murder of a colleague and their family.This conduct is disqualifying.As a former prosecutor and current Attorney General, I’ve sat with crying victims and grieving families. There is no sound more haunting than the cries of a parent who has lost a child. I’ve seen their pain, held their hands, and witnessed the devastation that violent crime leaves behind. Absolutely no one, least of all a candidate for Virginia’s top law-enforcement office, should ever treat that pain as a political tool.Prior to this week, this race was about competing views on public safety. Now it’s about basic fitness for public office.If you believe it is okay to wish death upon a political opponent — vote for my opponent.If you believe it is worth the death of children to advance your political goal — vote for my opponent.If you want to give a green light to violent lunatics — vote for my opponent.As Attorney General, I took an oath to protect every Virginian—regardless of whether they are a Democrat or Republican, whether they like me or dislike me, voted for me or not.My job is to stop violence, to protect innocent lives, and keep people safe. I cannot imagine someone running for this job who advocates for violence.The Attorney General’s sworn duty is to serve as the Commonwealth’s top law enforcement officer and keep everyone safe. That’s the job I’ve done and will continue to do for the people of Virginia.
It was about as good as it gets, saying Jones “disqualified” himself and explaining the stark differences between the two, but telling voters it will be up to them to decide if they feel Jones is unfit to serve.
Other top Republican leaders also weighed in on Saturday, including Vice President J.D. Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA):
Conservative commentators were also quick to point out the media’s double standards that once again were at play here:
Yep. It’s only a matter of time.
Update – 1 pm: Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears has released this powerful ad, tying her gubernatorial campaign opponent, Abigail Spanberger, to the scandal:
– Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym “Sister Toldjah” and can be reached via X. –
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