The embattled Democratic nominee for Virginia legal professional common returned to the marketing campaign path Wednesday as a major state police group referred to as on him not to take workplace if he wins in November following the disclosure of violent text messages.
Jay Jones made unannounced stops earlier than the Henrico County Democrats and the Richmond Democrats and campaigned an at an early voting website in Eastern Henrico with state Sen. Lashrecse Aird, in accordance to his social media posts.
Top Democrats declined to name on him to withdraw with early voting already underway and greater than 421,000 Virginians having already solid their poll, in accordance to the Virginia Public Access Project.
But the Virginia Police Benevolent Association, which endorsed Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, referred to as on him to decline to take workplace even if he wins.
“The VAPBA has not endorsed Jay Jones in this election. Mr. Jones is now on the ballot for statewide office, and voting is already underway. Even if he were to withdraw, his name would remain, and he could still win the election. Voters now have the full picture of Mr. Jones’ character and must weigh that information carefully as they cast their ballots,” an announcement reads.
“If he were to win, he should decline to take office. Leaders cannot serve effectively when their own conduct has undermined their credibility,” the assertion continues.
NCS has reached out to the Jones marketing campaign for remark.
Spanberger has touted the PBA’s endorsement, 4 years after the group backed Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The PBA this 12 months endorsed Jones’ opponent, incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares.
In a 2022 trade between Jones and Republican Virginia Delegate Carrie Coyner, Jones griped about how the then-Republican speaker of the House of Delegates Todd Gilbert was paying tribute to a former reasonable Democratic lawmaker who died, in accordance to screenshots of textual content messages first reported by the National Review and obtained by NCS.
“Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” the textual content reads partially, referring to Gilbert and the 2 dictators.
The National Review reported that Jones tried to name Coyner after she objected to his language. He went on to say within the textual content messages that Gilbert and his spouse are “breeding little fascists” in reference to Gilbert’s youngsters, the National Review reported.
Many Democrats have sharply criticized Jones and denounced political violence however haven’t referred to as on him to withdraw.
“I’m supporting the team,” US Sen. Mark Warner stated Wednesday when requested if he backs Jones running.
NCS’s Ted Barrett and Manu Raju contributed to this report.