Spanberger Goes Mute in Debate When Asked if Virginia AG Candidate Jay Jones Should Quit

Virginia’s gubernatorial nominees took the stage in Norfolk to discuss the most pressing issues voters are facing, including: Does Democrat Abigail Spanberger still endorse Jay Jones? We still don’t know. 

Spanberger had to be asked four times to clarify if she still endorses Democrat nominee Jones for attorney general. Virginians did not get a clear answer. 

Last Friday, violent text messages from Jones were exposed, including messages in which he wished death upon former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his family. Jones has not dropped out of the race, but he has apologized to Gilbert and his family. 

On the first question, Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears asked her opponent Spanberger when she was going to tell Jones that he “must leave the race.” Rather than answering, Spanberger stayed silent. 

The moderators took the second question as an opportunity to directly ask Spanberger if she still endorses Jones. “I denounce them,” she responded, referring to the text messages themselves but avoiding fully answering the question. 

When asked to clarify, she stated, “We are all running our individual races … it is up to every person to make their own decision.”

“It is up to every voter,” Spanberger said when the moderator had to ask a third time if she continues to endorse Jay Jones as attorney general. “I am accountable for the words that I say, for the acts I take, for the policies I put out.”

Spanberger was still unable to answer. 

As of now, Jones is still the Democrat nominee against incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares.