The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) has issued a call for Jay Jones to withdraw from the Virginia attorney general race. This follows reports of violent text messages allegedly sent by Jones.
According to RAGA, Democratic nominee Jay Jones reportedly sent private texts in which he fantasized about violence against former GOP House Speaker Todd Gilbert and used crude language toward Republican colleagues. The group’s leaders, including Chairman Kris Kobach and Executive Director Adam Piper, argue that “joking about political violence is disqualifying for a would-be chief law-enforcement officer” and urge Democrats to disavow the rhetoric. The controversy has emerged as a significant issue in the closely watched statewide contest.
In the reported exchange, Jones allegedly wrote that if faced with a choice between Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot, or then-Speaker Gilbert and “two bullets,” he would shoot Gilbert “twice.” He also reportedly said he would attend Republican colleagues’ funerals “to piss on their graves.” The specificity of these texts—such as mentioning “two bullets”—is highlighted by RAGA as evidence of explicit fantasizing about lethal violence. This specificity adds weight to the messages for voters assessing his suitability for office.
Elsewhere in Virginia politics, commentary about escalatory rhetoric has been noted. At two separate campaign stops, Abigail Spanberger reportedly told supporters to “Let your rage fuel you,” which critics say normalizes “rage politics.” Right-leaning analysts argue such cues can lead to harassment or worse, particularly in polarized statewide races where activists might take messages literally. The repeated phrasing across multiple events raises concerns about a broader tolerance for incendiary speech.
RAGA is a national political organization that supports the election of Republican attorneys general and coordinates policy, litigation strategy, and communications among GOP attorneys general. It engages in fundraising, issues statements on law-and-order priorities, and interacts with voters on public safety, separation of powers, and constitutional governance. The association positions itself as a counterbalance to progressive legal coalitions, emphasizing prosecutorial integrity and opposition to politicized justice at the state level.
