Jay Jones’s texts, from 2022, included highly controversial and graphic language about a Republican colleague and his family, including fantasies about harm to the speaker and their children. In late 2025, new reporting and the candidate’s own remarks framed those messages as deeply regrettable and unprofessional, with Jones apologizing and acknowledging responsibility for his words. Despite the controversy, several outlets noted that he still won the Virginia attorney general race in November 2025. Key points you asked about:
- What do the texts say: They contained violent and demeaning language directed at a Republican lawmaker and his family, including references to harming the children. The messages circulated publicly and drew sharp condemnation from both parties.
- Political impact: Coverage described the texts as a potential “October surprise” and a damaging element for Jones, though assessments varied; ultimately, polls and results showed Jones winning the race, suggesting the texts did not prevent his election.
- Outcome: Jay Jones won the Virginia attorney general race, defeating the incumbent Jason Miyares, despite the controversy surrounding the texts.
If you’d like, I can pull more detailed excerpts from specific articles, compare how different outlets framed the texts, or summarize the timeline from disclosure to election results.
