In early October 2025, text messages from Jay Jones surfaced in which the Democratic candidate for Virginia attorney general suggested the then-House Speaker should be shot. These Jay Jones texts turned a quiet state race into national news.
This guide covers what the Jay Jones texts said, what is confirmed, who reacted, and where Jones stands today.
Jay Jones Text Messages: The Full Conversation With Carrie Coyner
The exchange happened in August 2022. Here is how it unfolded, step by step.
Jones was a recently departed delegate from Norfolk at the time. He was texting Republican Del. Carrie Coyner.
Coyner said the chat began by mistake. Jones meant the first texts for someone named Mark, but he kept texting her after he noticed.
The messages came shortly after Todd Gilbert, then House Speaker, offered public condolences over the death of a retired Democratic delegate.
Then came the line that set off the Jay Jones text scandal. Jones described a game with three people and only two bullets, naming Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. He wrote: The Hill
Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.
Coyner tried to rein him in by texting just his name. Jones kept going. He wondered whether Gilbert and his wife Jennifer were raising little fascists.
breeding little fascists
Reports say he went further and suggested that grief might be “a good thing” if it helped his politics. That wording came from one outlet’s summary of the messages.
There was also a phone call. Coyner said Jones told her that if Gilbert’s wife saw her child die, the speaker might rethink gun policy. That part rests on Coyner’s account, not on a screenshot.
How did Jay Jones respond? He admitted sending the messages and apologized to Gilbert and his family. His statement said:
I take full responsibility for my actions
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Facts and What the Jay Jones Texts Reveal
Many readers ask if the messages are real and how they got out. The record is fairly clear on both.
Are the Jay Jones texts real?
A spokesperson for Coyner’s campaign confirmed the texts were genuine. Jones never questioned their accuracy and apologized for them. Fox NewsNewsweek
How did the Jay Jones text messages become public?
Coyner said she first shared them only with Gilbert. Years later, a reporter asked her to verify them, and she did. By then, early voting had already started. wricThe Hill
Keep two things apart. The texts are documented. The phone call is an allegation. Jones denies one of the claims Coyner made about a separate 2020 call. virginiascope
What do the texts reveal?
They show private words about a rival’s family, written by a man who later ran for the state’s top legal job. The attorney general is an elected constitutional officer who represents the legal interests of Virginia and its agencies. That is why voters cared about tone and judgment. Wikipedia
A separate issue also followed him. Jones faced scrutiny over a 116 mph reckless driving arrest and the community service affidavits tied to it. It is a different story from the texts. Fox News
Jay Jones Texts: Reactions and Timeline
The fallout moved fast. Both parties weighed in, and the race changed within days.
The texts surfaced on October 3, 2025. The next day, opponent Jason Miyares held a press conference and said Jones had disqualified himself. Coyner released a new statement on October 7. 2025 in Virginia +2
Who called on Jay Jones to drop out? Trump, Vice President Vance, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin all urged him to leave the race. Miyares also launched a seven-figure ad buy on the texts. The Republican Attorneys General Association made the same call. The HillFox News
Democrats were split in tone. Abigail Spanberger condemned the texts but did not ask Jones to withdraw. House Speaker Don Scott called the remarks harmful, reckless, and wrong. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stood by Jones. Jay Jones wins Virginia attorney general’s race amid texting scandal +2
At a debate at the University of Richmond on October 16, Jones said he was ashamed and embarrassed by the messages. Fox News
On November 4, voters decided. Jones beat Miyares by more than 6 points. In exit polling, more than 4 in 10 voters said the texts disqualified him. About 90% of them voted for Miyares. NBC NewsNBC News
Jay Jones Latest Updates: Where He Stands Today
The story did not end at the polls. Here is his status now.
Jones is the 49th attorney general of Virginia. He took office on January 17, 2026, and is the first African American to hold the job. His mother, Judge Lyn Simmons, swore him in. Governor Spanberger leads the state. WikipediaWikipedia
On day one, he ordered a full review of the state’s pending cases and legal opinions. His office then joined several multistate lawsuits. state
His recent work is mostly policy. He created a Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit to investigate dealers and manufacturers. He also joined attorneys general from 48 other jurisdictions in asking the FCC to tighten illegal robocall rules. statestate
For official updates, check the Virginia Attorney General’s news page. For background, see this profile and the Virginia Mercury’s early coverage.
FAQs
What are Jay Jones text messages?
They are a 2022 text exchange between Jay Jones and Republican Del. Carrie Coyner. In it, Jones made violent remarks about then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert. The texts became public in October 2025, during his race for Virginia attorney general.
Where can I find Jay Jones text messages?
Most readers find them as screenshots and excerpts in news coverage from October 2025. Search the names Jay Jones, Carrie Coyner, and Todd Gilbert together for the original reports.
Are Jay Jones text messages real?
Yes. Coyner’s campaign confirmed them, and Jones acknowledged sending them. He apologized publicly and said he takes full responsibility.
Can I read Jay Jones text messages online?
Yes, in excerpt form. Major news sites published key lines and screenshots. Read them in their original reporting for full context.
Conclusion:
The Jay Jones text messages were real, and he apologized for them. Voters weighed them in November 2025, and he won. Today, Jones serves as Virginia’s attorney general and works on state legal policy.
Timmy Abu Zar is the writer and voice behind CondolenceMessages.com, dedicated to helping people find comforting words during life’s most difficult moments. With a deep respect for the many ways people grieve and remember, Timmy writes thoughtful, sincere messages and guides to support readers through loss, no matter their background or beliefs.
