A new political ad dropped Sunday and it’s already shaking up Virginia’s high-stakes governor’s race. Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears is going directly after her Democratic opponent, Abigail Spanberger, by tying her to a growing controversy involving attorney general candidate Jay Jones — and the backlash is picking up steam.
The one-minute ad, now circulating widely on social media, features real news reports and screen captures of text messages that Jones allegedly sent in 2022, which included graphic references to political violence. In one message, Jones joked about shooting former Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert — and compared him to Hitler and Pol Pot.
The ad cuts quickly between headlines, photos of Spanberger and Jones smiling on the campaign trail, and a clip of Spanberger saying, “It’s been great to be out on the campaign trail with Jay Jones.” It ends with stark white letters flashing on a black screen:
“Reject the insanity. Vote Republican.”
Earle-Sears posted the ad on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Jay Jones dreamed of murdering two young kids and their dad over politics — and Abigail Spanberger wants him to be attorney general.”
NEW AD: Jay Jones dreamed of murdering two young kids and their dad over politics—and Abigail Spanberger wants him to be attorney general. pic.twitter.com/RoipSKn436
— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) October 5, 2025
NEW AD: Jay Jones dreamed of murdering two young kids and their dad over politics—and Abigail Spanberger wants him to be attorney general. The messages at the center of the firestorm surfaced late last week. In a text obtained by Fox News Digital, Jones reportedly wrote:
“Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”
In another message, he appeared to target Gilbert’s family, writing that the Speaker and his wife Jennifer were probably “breeding little fascists.” The texts date back to August 2022, shortly after Jones had left the state legislature.
Jay Jones literally fantasized about killing a man and two children and Abigail Spanberger still doesn’t have the guts to tell him to drop out. pic.twitter.com/8CAjNqqWBI
— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) October 3, 2025
The political fallout has been swift.
Former President Donald Trump weighed in Sunday, calling Jones a “radical left lunatic” and demanding he drop out of the race. On his Truth Social platform, Trump also slammed Spanberger as “weak and ineffective,” while doubling down on his endorsement of current Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares.
“Even Democrats are saying it is ‘RESIGNATION FROM CAMPAIGN’ TERRITORY,” Trump wrote. “Jay Jones should drop out of the race IMMEDIATELY… Jason Miyares has my Complete and Total Endorsement — JASON WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
So far, Spanberger has not publicly responded to the ad or the renewed controversy around her ally. But the silence hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Meanwhile, Jones released a statement late Sunday saying he takes “full responsibility” for the messages. He admitted the content made him feel “sick to my stomach” and apologized directly to Speaker Gilbert, his wife, and their children.
“I am embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry,” he said. “This was a grave mistake… I cannot take back what I said.”
Still, despite the apology, Jones is not stepping away from the race — at least not yet. His campaign insists he will continue fighting to be Virginia’s next attorney general, even as calls for him to drop out intensify from both sides of the aisle.
My message to Virginians:
We need leaders at all levels with moral clarity, who can see the difference between right and wrong, not just when it’s pointed out to them.
Jay Jones needs to drop out. Point blank. pic.twitter.com/WwDd1O5unC
— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) October 4, 2025
With early voting underway, the timing of the ad and the resurfaced texts could shift voter momentum quickly. Democrats had been counting on a united front heading into the final stretch of the campaign. But now, with the spotlight on these inflammatory messages, Spanberger’s ties to Jones are under the microscope.
It’s unclear how much damage control can be done — or whether Jones’ apology will satisfy voters who are just now hearing about the messages for the first time.
What is clear: Virginia’s governor’s race just got a lot more intense. And with both national figures and state leaders weighing in, it may not be the last time these texts dominate the headlines.
