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 death of political opponents and remarks about police officers. (Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post/Getty Images)
Jones apologized for the comment, but is facing widespread calls to drop out of the race along with criticism on social media from those saying he should follow the advice he gave to Copeland.
"How about that," Daily Signal national correspondent Tony Kinnett posted on X.
"Update?" Virginia Republican state Sen. Glen Sturtevant posted on X.
"Care to revisit this one Mr. Jones?" Townhall writer Amy Curtis posted on X.
DEMOCRATS STAND BY VIRGINIA AG HOPEFUL WHO FANTASIZED ABOUT KILLING GOP LAWMAKER
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) speaks during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on July 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
"I've known Jay Jones for 25 years," Kaine added. "I think those statements were not in character, and he has apologized — I wish other people in public life would sincerely apologize for stuff."
In addition to the statements about harming his Republican colleague, Jones is also alleged to have suggested that more police officers should be killed in order to stop them from harming others.
Jones has denied making those comments.
Fox News Digital's Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
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