Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said Sunday that Virginia Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones should consider stepping aside after text messages surfaced in which Jones appeared to advocate violence against political opponents.
In an interview with Hugh Hewitt, Khanna — the first prominent Democrat to publicly call for Jones to relinquish the nomination — described the messages as “horrific” and said he “fully condemn[s]” the language if the texts are authentic. When Hewitt asked directly whether Jones should drop out, Khanna replied, “If he was actually saying that, I certainly wouldn’t support him.”
Congressman @RoKhanna calls on VA Democratic nominee for AG Jay Jones to drop out of the race, for Katie Porter to hold a long press conference, and for government to reopen though it took a long time to get to the last point.https://t.co/1xXRvtO21s pic.twitter.com/JJKbYaGQEn
— HughHewittShowLinks (@HHSLinks) October 9, 2025
The texts, first reported last week, were sent in 2022 to then-Delegate Carrie Coyner and included language fantasizing about the killing of then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert. Jones has apologized, calling the messages a “grave mistake,” and his campaign said it has refunded donors after canceling a planned fundraiser.
Many Democrats have denounced the content of the messages, but most have stopped short of demanding Jones exit the race. Some party figures have defended his candidacy, arguing he remains the better choice for attorney general than the Republican incumbent, Jason Miyares. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, when asked whether Jones should withdraw, said local leaders in Virginia should make that determination and noted Jones had apologized.
CNN: “The Democrat candidate for Attorney General in Virginia said a Republican deserved two bullets in his head… Should he get out of the race?”
Pelosi: “What I understand is they say, on balance, he is a better person to be Attorney General.”pic.twitter.com/WOgV0EXk0v
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 8, 2025
The post Rep. Ro Khanna Calls on Jay Jones to Consider Withdrawing After Violent Texts Surface appeared first on Real News Now.
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