Spanberger is calm about the dual controversies as Virginia voters head to the polls
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With just weeks to go before Virginians head to the polls, the Democratic nominee for governor is on Abigail Spanberger She has been rocked by a double controversy — a violent texting scandal involving a fellow Democrat and new criticism of her stance on transgender bathroom policies.
In 2022, Virginia Attorney General candidate Jay Jones He told a colleague via text message that he wished violence against former Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his children. The private messages, which recently came to light, have sparked anger among Republicans and alarm among Democrats, forcing Spanberger through one of the most turbulent moments of her campaign.
‘‘Consumed by hate’: Jason Miyares fires at Democrat Jay Jones over violent texts
Spanberger’s cautious tone continued into last Thursday’s debate, where she faced GOP candidate Winsome Earl Sears.
“Jay Jones pleaded for killing Abigail, killing a man, a former speaker, as well as his children who were two and five years old. You have little girls. Does it take pulling the trigger? Is that what he’s going to do?” Earl Sears asked Thursday night. “Please ask him out of the race. Have some courage.”
She sidestepped several rounds of questions throughout the discussion about whether she still supported Jones.
Spanberger’s campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Split between Winsome Earle-Sears and Abigail Spanberger. (Pool/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, fellow Democrats rallied around Jones, emphasizing tolerance and unity as the campaign entered its final phase.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., was also not prepared to call on Jones to withdraw from the study. He told Fox News Digital that he remains a supporter of the embattled candidate for attorney general in his state.
“I think those statements were not personal, and he apologized — I hope others in public life will sincerely apologize for things,” the 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee said. “I’ve known Jay Jones for 25 years.”
Virginia Democrats back down from Attorney General nominee Jay Jones, despite text messages
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., did not respond when Fox News Digital repeatedly asked whether Jay Jones should end his campaign. Warner was also pressed on whether he would seek to take back a $25,000 donation in August from Jones or express remorse for the show of support, but again declined to respond.
Jay Jones, who is running to become Virginia’s attorney general in 2025, has come under fire for a series of text messages calling for the killing of political opponents and statements about police officers. (Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post/Getty Images)
After the text messages surfaced, the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee moved quickly to defend Jones, urging Virginians to “stand behind him.”
“We are lined up, ready to organize, mobilize and deliver voters for Jay and the entire Democratic Party ticket,” the statement read. “Recent press may have highlighted past wrongs. We say, let those who have no sin cast the first stone. Jay Jones has taken responsibility, apologized and shown that he is committed to serving with integrity and accountability, which his public record already shows.”
Jones has since apologizedHe described the statements as “embarrassing and shameful” and said that he had personally communicated with Gilbert and his family.
Democrats under fire for siding with hopeful Virginia AG who joked about shooting GOP rival
Last week, President Donald Trump He called on Jones to withdraw from the race and described the text messages as “sick” and “crazy.”
“Democrat Jay Jones should drop out of the race immediately, and the people of Virginia should continue to have their great Attorney General Jason Miyares, who, by the way, has my full and complete support,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on October 5.
The latest revelation comes amid rising political tensions and a growing number of incidents that have raised concerns about violence in national politics.
‘Naked men in locker rooms’: Earl Sears blasts Spanberger over transgender locker room stance in heated debate
Abigail Spanberger’s campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. (Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post/Getty Images)
In a separate issue, Spanberger also sidestepped her stance on transgender issues.
Earlier this month, Virginia Gov. Glen Youngkin He issued an executive directive ensuring bathrooms, locker rooms and other intimate spaces remain separate by sex assigned at birth. The directive also directs the state Board of Health to prohibit biological males from competing on women’s sports teams.
When asked directly whether she would rescind the directive, Spanberger declined to give a specific answer.
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“My answer is that in every community decisions should be made between parents and teachers and teachers in each community. They should not be dictated by politicians,” Spanberger replied. “I am a mother of three daughters in public schools in Virginia, and nothing is more important to me than their safety and their experience in schools,” Spanberger added in response to questions about her position on transgender issues.
Fox News Digital’s Alec Shimel contributed to this report.