RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Multiple sheriffs' departments and commonwealth's attorneys spoke out against Jay Jones after his violent text messages resurfaced last week.

On Thursday, Oct. 9, state law enforcement leaders held a press conference at the Republican Party of Virginia Headquarters on Jay Jones’ unfitness as candidate for state attorney general.

The text messages, first shared by the National Review on Friday, Oct. 3, were sent to Carrie Coyner (R-Chesterfield) in August 2022.

Jones’ messages described a hypothetical scenario where former House Speaker Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) would be shot instead of the violent historical dictators Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot. Jones also wished violence on Gilbert’s children.

Chesterfield County Sheriff Carl Leonard spoke about the controversy.

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