Spanberger refuses to call on Jay Jones to exit race during Thursday night debate

Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger faced repeated questioning during Thursday’s debate about her continued support for attorney general candidate Jay Jones, after text messages surfaced in which he imagined putting “two bullets” in the head of then-Republican Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert.

Both the debate moderators and her Republican challenger, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earl Sears, repeatedly asked Spanberger if she still supported Jones, but Spanberger did not explicitly say she no longer supported him.

Spanberger also did not say when she learned of the inflammatory text messages, which also included violent rhetoric about Gilbert’s children.

“Jay Jones pleaded guilty to murder – Abigail – the murder of a man, a former speaker, as well as his children who were two and five years old. You have little girls. Does it take pulling the trigger? Is that what he’s going to do?” asked Earl Sears. “Please ask him out of the race. Have some courage.”

Joe Scarborough tells Democratic candidate Jay Jones to leave the race over violent comments against the GOP lawmaker

The sexting scandal has proven to be a major flashpoint in the race, as concerns about violent political rhetoric reach new levels in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and two attempts on President Donald Trump.

“We just want to be clear, what you’re saying is, even now, you still support Jay Jones as attorney general?” asked moderator Spanberger bluntly.

“I’m saying, as of right now, it’s up to each voter to make their own individual decision. I’m running for governor, and I’m responsible for the words I say, the actions I take, and the policies I put in place,” Spanberger responded. “I am responsible for the policies I put in place and the work I will tirelessly strive to do for people.”

Liberal media downplays DEM Virginia AG scandal brimming with Jay Jones texts that fantasize about killing GOP lawmaker

Virginia Governor Winsome Earl Sears, left, is competing against Democrat Abigail Spanberger, right, in the governor’s race next November. (Getty Images)

Spanberger has repeatedly indicated that she condemned the speech as soon as she learned of it, and that she will condemn violent speech at every opportunity she gets.

Meanwhile, Spanberger accused Earl Sears of only condemning violent rhetoric when it targets her political party, but not when it targets her opponent. She cited an example from Kirk’s memorial service last month, during which Trump reportedly said: “I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for him.”

“It is important that candidates always condemn violence no matter what side of the aisle… We must always be focused and strong in our condemnation of it,” Spanberger said as she was peppered with questions about whether she would convict Jones. “Unfortunately, my opponent only denounces violence when her side is the target.”

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Winsome Earl Sears, Republican candidate for governor of Virginia, center, during a campaign event at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department in Vienna, Virginia, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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In response to those accusations, Earl Sears did not condemn the president’s words, but said it was something she would not say herself in person.

“As I said before, I wouldn’t say that,” Earl Sears said of Trump’s comments.

Fox News Digital’s Charles Kretz contributed to this report.