Virginia AG candidate once referenced putting 'two bullets to the head' of GOP leader, texts show

Texts obtained by Fox News Digital Friday showed an August 2022 conversation between Jones - then a recently departed delegate from Norfolk - and another lawmaker after the death of Del. Joe Johnson, D-Bristol, at age 90.

Jones told Coyner that Johnson "leaked everything to your [Republican] caucus. It's why Gilbert gave him such a glowing tribute."

"If those guys die before me, I will go to their funerals to piss on their graves," he continued. "Send them out awash in something."

At that point, Coyner appeared to attempt to rein in the conversation, texting, "Jay Jones."

But Jones continued, adding, "Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head."

"Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time," he wrote. 

Coyner tried again to end the conversation: "Jay. Please stop."

"Lol. OK, OK," he replied.

A source familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital that, around that point, Jones and Coyner had a telephone conversation, which was followed by Jones trying to lighten the mood.

"I genuinely was [asking questions]. I wasn't attacking you. I was trying to understand your logic."

Coyner disagreed, to which Jones replied, "Yes, I've told you this before. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy."

In another message to Coyner, Jones considered whether Gilbert and his wife Jennifer were "breeding little fascists."

Garren Shipley, a spokesperson for Coyner's campaign, confirmed the veracity of the texts, saying they were "disturbing and disqualifying for anyone who wants to seek public office."

"Jay Jones wished violence on the children of a colleague and joked about shooting Todd Gilbert. It's disgusting and unbecoming of any public official," Shipley said. 

Jones' comments created a firestorm Friday evening, with another state lawmaker recently subjected to a death threat condemning Jones.

Spanberger condemned her fellow Democrat, saying in a statement that she spoke "frankly" with Jones after the texts surfaced about her "disgust" for what he had said.

"I will always condemn violent language in our politics," Spanberger said.

A source familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital Jones initially had accidentally texted Coyner, who later made Gilbert aware of the Democrat's invective.

When reached by Fox News Digital, Jones also did not deny the messages were his and blamed his opponent for allegedly planting stories and then criticized Republicans.

"Like all people, I've sent text messages that I regret, and I believe that violent rhetoric has no place in our politics," Jones said.

A source familiar with Gilbert told Fox News Digital he has no comment on the matter.