Abigail Spanberger refused to withdraw her endorsement of Jay Jones during Thursday’s debate, even after moderators repeatedly pressed her over his violent text messages targeting a Republican lawmaker.
“We just want to clarify — what you’re saying is, as of now, you still endorse Jay Jones as attorney general?” a moderator asked.
“I’m saying, as of now, it’s up to every voter to make their own individual decision,” Spanberger replied, deflecting. “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.”
Given additional time to clarify her position, Spanberger denounced Jones’ “vile” language but stopped short of withdrawing her endorsement.
Pressed again on whether she would continue to back Jones, Spanberger refused to say, insisting, “The voters now have the information, and it’s up to voters to make a choice based on this information.”
Her opponent, Earle-Sears, immediately seized the moment. “Abigail, when are you going to take Jay Jones and say to him you must leave the race?” she asked. “He has said that he wants to murder his political opponent — and not only that, but his political opponent’s children.”
The moderator again gave Spanberger extended time to respond, but she stood firm. “We are all running our own races,” she said, pivoting to emphasize that voters should understand the dynamics of each campaign before heading to the polls.
After three separate chances to clarify, the moderators moved on. (RELATED: Virginia Law Enforcement Groups Demand Jay Jones Withdraw Over “Vile” Threats Against Republicans)
The controversy stems from a series of 2022 text messages Jones sent to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner about then–House Speaker Todd Gilbert. Jones wrote: “Three people, two bullets, Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”
Earle-Sears has called for Jones to withdraw from the race entirely, saying his “violent fantasies” make him unfit for office. So far, no major Democratic leaders — including Spanberger — have joined those calls. (RELATED: Virginia Democrats Stand With Jay Jones Despite Violent Rhetoric)