By Brandon Javis

(VPN) – Virginia Democrats are reeling after the emergence of 2022 text messages in which attorney general nominee Jay Jones wrote that he would shoot former House Speaker Todd Gilbert and that he wanted Gilbert’s wife to watch her children die.

The response to the texts has gone national, with the president and vice president both calling on Jones to drop out of the race, and Democrats condemning his statements.

However, with early voting already underway in Virginia, Democrats have stopped short of calling for Jones to withdraw from the race.

“I spoke frankly with Jay about my disgust with what he had said and texted,” said Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger. “I made clear to Jay that he must fully take responsibility for his words.”

Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears — who is also running as the Republican nominee for governor — both called on Jones to drop out.

His opponent, Attorney General Jason Miyares, said Jones should be “disqualified,” but he also stopped short of calling on him to drop out.

Jones has remained in the race buts calls from Republicans for him to withdraw continue.