Richmond, VA – The Virginia Attorney General debate between Republican incumbent Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones was dominated by controversy surrounding years-old text messages sent by Jones, as early voting in the state is already underway. Miyares repeatedly focused on the texts, questioning Jones’ character and trustworthiness, while Jones attempted to pivot to criticisms of Miyares’ relationship with former President Donald Trump and his management’s policies.
The debate saw Miyares challenge Jones on the content of the texts, asking voters, “How can we trust Jay Jones…knowing that he asked for an innocent Virginian to get two bullets to his head? How could jay Jones ever be trusted to comfort a grieving mother who has lost a child to violence, knowing that he hoped that a child as young as 2 years old would die?”
Jones acknowledged sending the texts and a 2022 reckless driving conviction, stating, “I was held accountable,” but countered by accusing Miyares of failing to hold Trump accountable for actions he claimed harmed Virginians. “When Donald Trump fires workers, defunds our schools and levies tariffs that destroy our regional economies…he has a willing cheerleader here in Jason Miyares who will not step up to sue,” Jones asserted. He claimed there were “50 opportunities” for Miyares to sue the Trump administration to protect Virginia’s interests.
Miyares defended his record, stating he had “sued both administrations, the Trump administration and the Biden administration,” specifically to “protect our veterans.”
The candidates also clashed on issues including public safety, addiction, consumer protections, cashless bail, abortion, transgender rights, and immigration, but the debate consistently returned to the focus of Jones’ past texts.
