Virginia Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones is facing growing backlash after new allegations surfaced that he once suggested police deaths could lead to fewer officer-involved shootings.
The claims, made by former Republican colleague Del. Carrie Coyner, come amid an already contentious race against incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares.
Coyner, who served alongside Jones in the Virginia House of Delegates, told Virginia Scope that during a 2020 discussion on qualified immunity, Jones responded coldly to her concerns about law enforcement safety.
She told Jones that removing qualified immunity could result in more officers being killed in the line of duty, according to Coyner.
“Well, maybe if a few of them died, that they would move on, not shooting people, not killing people,” Jones allegedly said.
Coyner said the conversation deeply disturbed her and reinforced her belief that Jones was unfit to serve as the state’s top law enforcement officer.
“My position is very clear. It is never acceptable to think that killing people is a justifiable method to achieve policy changes. Period. Anyone that advocates for killing someone for disagreeing with them is not qualified to serve,” Coyner said in a statement to the New York Post.
Jones, who previously supported legislation to remove qualified immunity for police officers, denied making the statement.
“I did not say this. I have never believed and do not believe that any harm should come to law enforcement, period,” Jones told Virginia Scope.
“Every single day, police officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities, and I am deeply grateful for their service and sacrifice. As Attorney General, I will work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to support their work.”
The controversy follows earlier revelations of text messages between Jones and Coyner, in which Jones appeared to make violent remarks about then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
In the 2022 text exchanges, Jones allegedly wrote that he would “shoot Todd Gilbert over Adolf Hitler” and that Gilbert and his wife should have to watch their “fascist children die.”
Coyner said the new allegations are consistent with Jones’ prior behavior.
She added that during a heated 2022 phone call, Jones said Gilbert might reconsider his pro-gun stance “if he or his wife lost one of their children.”
After the call, Coyner texted Jones to condemn his remarks.
“You were talking about [hoping] Jennifer Gilbert’s children would die,” she wrote.
Jones responded, “Yes, I’ve told you this before. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy.”
The latest accusations have intensified calls for Jones to withdraw from the attorney general race, though the Post reported that prominent Democrats in Virginia have so far stood by him.
The Virginia Beach Democrats issued a statement defending Jones, urging critics to reflect before passing judgment.
“Jay Jones has taken responsibility, apologized, and shown he is committed to serving with integrity and accountability that his public record already shows,” the group wrote.
“Virginians deserve a leader who learns, grows, and stands for everyday people—and Jay is that leader.”
Despite the ongoing controversy, polls indicate the race between Jones and Miyares remains competitive.
Both candidates are vying for the attorney general’s seat in a high-stakes contest that could influence the state’s political direction heading into 2026.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who endorsed Miyares last November, sharply criticized Jones over the allegations.
“The messages are beyond disqualifying,” Youngkin said, adding that Jones “doesn’t have the morality or character” to withdraw voluntarily.
In 2021, Miyares won roughly 53 percent of the vote in Virginia Beach, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
The area remains a key battleground for statewide races, particularly among law-and-order voters.
