RICHMOND, VA (LOOTPRESS) – Former Virginia Delegate Jay Jones has been projected to unseat incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares in Tuesday’s election, overcoming a late-campaign texting controversy that threatened to derail his candidacy.
The race, one of Virginia’s most competitive statewide contests this year, was shaken in its final weeks when violent text messages sent by Jones in 2022 about then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert resurfaced.
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At the time, Jones was not holding elected office. Republican Del. Carrie Coyner reportedly told Jones to stop after receiving the messages.
Jones apologized, but Republicans, including Miyares, President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin, seized on the controversy, urging Jones to withdraw from the race.
Miyares’ campaign also launched a seven-figure ad campaign targeting the Democrat over the texts.
Democratic leaders, including gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, condemned the remarks but did not call for Jones to exit the race.
Early voting was already underway when the controversy surfaced in early October.
Jones’ victory is expected to bring relief to Democrats who had voiced concerns about the prospect of a Miyares reelection, citing his close alignment with the Trump administration.
