Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for Virginia Attorney General, is at the center of renewed controversy ahead of Tuesday’s election after a viral video showed him making a kicking motion near a dog outside a polling location. The clip, captured by former Republican Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares staffer Klarke Kilgore, sparked widespread debate online about whether Jones intended to harm the animal.
Jones has faced persistent scrutiny over his past actions, including leaked text messages from August 2022 in which he expressed violent fantasies about former Republican Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert. In one message, Jones wrote about imagining “two bullets” in Gilbert’s head and witnessing his children die in their mother’s arms. Initially defending the remarks, Jones later apologized, calling them “abhorrent” and stating they made him “sick to [his] stomach.”
Despite the backlash, most Democrats have not called for Jones to withdraw from the race. Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger condemned the texts as “abhorrent” but refused to revoke her endorsement. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also continued to support Jones, citing their long-standing familiarity with him.
Jones’s campaign has also been marred by a 2018 reckless driving conviction after he was caught speeding at 116 mph on Interstate 64. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin criticized the incident, stating the attorney general role demands accountability and caution. “The job of attorney general is too important to leave to someone who would recklessly break the law and endanger lives,” Youngkin said.
Additionally, Jones faces allegations of advocating for police officers to be killed to prevent them from using force. The Fraternal Order of Police of Virginia demanded his withdrawal following these claims. Meanwhile, Miyares, the Republican incumbent, has positioned himself as a defender of public safety and prosecutorial reform, contrasting his record with Jones’s.
With polls open until 7 p.m., voters across Virginia are casting ballots amid ongoing debates over Jones’s suitability for office.