Virginia Democrat gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger came under fire during Thursday night’s debate for refusing to withdraw her support from attorney general nominee Jay Jones.
Spanberger has come under pressure to urge the Democrat AG candidate to exit the race even after shocking text messages surfaced in which Jones fantasized about putting “two bullets” in the head of then-Republican Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
The violent texts, which also referenced killing Gilbert’s young children, have rocked the races for both Jones and Spanberger.
The scandal has become a flashpoint at a time when political violence is already dominating headlines following the assassination of Charlie Kirk and two recent attempted assassinations of President Donald Trump.
Pressed on Stage, But No Clear Break
Spanberger’s Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, directly challenged her on stage:
“Jay Jones advocated the murder — Abigail — the murder of a man, a former speaker, as well as his children who were 2 years and 5 years old.
“You have little girls,” Earle-Sears noted.
“Would it take him pulling the trigger?
“Is that what would do it?
“Please ask him to get out of the race.
“Have some courage,” she urged.
Spanberger refused to explicitly drop her endorsement.
Asked point-blank by a moderator if she still supports Jones, she dodged:
“As of now, it’s up to every voter to make their own individual decision.
“I am running for governor.
“I am accountable for the words that I say, for the acts that I take, for the policies that I have put out.”
Spanberger repeatedly claimed she condemned Jones’s rhetoric “the moment” she learned of it, but would not say when that was or whether she believes he should step aside.
WATCH:
Virginia’s @WinsomeSears asks @SpanbergerForVA why she won’t condemn Dem AG candidate Jay Jones for calling for the kids of a political opponent to die while Spanberger refuses to even look at her in their debate. This is powerful. pic.twitter.com/KTGsNAd67L
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 10, 2025
Turning the Accusation Around
Instead of disavowing Jones, Spanberger shifted blame to Republicans, accusing Earle-Sears of only condemning violent rhetoric when Democrats are the targets.
She pointed to comments made by President Trump at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, where he reportedly said:
“I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them.”
“It is important that candidates always denounce violence, no matter which side of the aisle,” Spanberger argued.
“My opponent, unfortunately, only denounces violence when her side is the target.”
Earle-Sears responded that while she would not use the same words herself, the comparison was absurd.
Democrats Cornered
The Jones text scandal has become a major liability for Virginia Democrats.
Spanberger’s evasions are fueling Republican accusations that the party is soft on its own extremists.
For Earle-Sears, the exchange underscored a clear contrast in leadership: Republicans demanding accountability for violent rhetoric in their ranks, while Democrats deflect and protect their own candidates, even when children are targeted.
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