Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones, left, and former Virginia House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert, right. (Trevor Metcalfe/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Images; Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
A spokesperson for Coyner's campaign confirmed the veracity of the texts first reported by National Review, saying they were "disturbing and disqualifying for anyone who wants to seek public office."
"Jay Jones wished violence on the children of a colleague and joked about shooting Todd Gilbert. It's disgusting and unbecoming of any public official," the spokesperson said.
Jones is running against incumbent Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican.
The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) also called on Jones to "immediately withdraw" from the race following "his abhorrent text messages."
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A text message from Jay Jones to Del. Carrie Coyner. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
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"Virginians deserve honest leaders who admit when they are wrong and own up to their mistakes. This was a grave mistake, and I will work every day to prove to the people of Virginia that I will fight for them as Attorney General," he added.
Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace and Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/youngkin-says-democrat-ag-candidate-jay-jones-must-step-away-disgrace-over-texts-about-former-gop-leader