In a fiery debate Thursday night at the University of Richmond, Democratic candidate for Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones faced intense questioning from his GOP rival, incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares. Jones found himself on the defensive, addressing his past reckless driving conviction and disturbing violent rhetoric from 2022 that has resurfaced during his campaign.
Miyares didn’t hold back in his opening remarks, accusing Jones of driving at a staggering 116 miles per hour on Interstate 64 in Virginia. But it wasn’t just the speed that raised eyebrows. Miyares went further, claiming that Jones was the only one out of four people caught driving at the same reckless speed who didn’t face jail time or a suspended sentence. To make matters worse, Miyares also alleged that Jones tried to dodge his community service requirement by having it performed for a political action committee he controlled.
In a bid to defend himself, Jones attempted to downplay the severity of his actions. "I was held accountable," he said, insisting that his mistakes were not only acknowledged by his party but also by the Virginia State Police. Sure, accountability is important, but it’s hard to ignore the growing concern about a candidate who thinks a speeding ticket and a vague "accountability" statement are enough to shake off the consequences of his reckless behavior.
As if the driving conviction wasn’t enough, Jones was also grilled over text messages he sent in 2022, in which he fantasized about violence against his Republican political rival, then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert. Jones casually texted about putting "two bullets" in Gilbert’s head and even referenced harming his children. Now, that’s a level of political discourse we could all do without—especially from someone vying to be the state's top law enforcement official. Can we really trust a man who once wished death on a political opponent and his family to serve as the prosecutor for Virginia?
When pressed further by the debate moderator about why voters should trust his judgment, Jones insisted, “I’ve taken accountability for my mistakes, and I know that people in Virginia right now demand and deserve leaders who accept when they make mistakes and can acknowledge that." But after the reckless driving, the violent rhetoric, and the shady community service dealings, one has to wonder if accountability is really enough—or if it’s just a well-worn political defense.
Meanwhile, Miyares wasn’t backing down. He highlighted Jones’ "soft-on-crime" record, reminding voters that Jones voted in favor of an early-release program for felons, a policy many consider too lenient. Miyares also took aim at Jones’ comments about holding President Trump accountable, accusing him of focusing on Washington fights instead of protecting Virginians at home. "If Jay Jones wants to fight the fights in Washington, then he should run for Congress," Miyares quipped, pointing out that the job of attorney general is about protecting Virginians from crime and standing tough on law enforcement issues.
In an especially sharp moment, Miyares turned Jones’ public safety agenda on its head, questioning how anyone who fantasized about violence against children could possibly be trusted to protect them. “How can anybody who's ever worked in any of the crimes against children — all of the areas of federal and state local law department — how can they ever take you seriously?” Miyares asked, echoing the national outrage over Jones’ disturbing comments.
While the debate may have been heated, it’s clear that voters have a lot to consider. Jones may try to sell himself as a man who’s learned from his mistakes, but his reckless behavior and violent fantasies raise serious questions about his fitness to serve as Virginia’s attorney general. One thing’s for sure: when it comes to law and order, Virginians deserve better than a politician who thinks speed limits and basic accountability don’t apply to him.
The good news, however, is that Virginia voters are smart—and they won’t be fooled by smooth talk and empty promises. The truth is out there, and it's up to us to make sure we hold those who seek power to the highest standards. Here’s hoping Virginia gets the strong, accountable leadership it deserves.
