NORFOLK, Virginia — Scandal-plagued attorney general candidate Jay Jones made a brief but surprise appearance at Saturday’s rally in Norfolk, where Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger campaigned alongside former President Barack Obama.
Jones drew applause as he outlined what he said would be a more aggressive approach to challenging the Trump administration in court if elected over Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares.
“Over 50 times Jason Miyares has had the chance to sue the president this year to protect Virginia, and he’s not stepped up — and that comes at our expense,” Jones told the crowd.
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Jones did not reference the text message scandal that has dogged his campaign for weeks. The controversy centers on a series of leaked messages from years ago — first reported in October — in which Jones spoke of wanting to shoot his political rival, then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert, and his family. The messages prompted calls from Republicans, including President Donald Trump, for him to withdraw, though Jones has insisted he is staying in the race.
Spanberger has joined several other party leaders in condemning Jones’s texts but did not ask him to exit the race. The scandal broke after early voting in Virginia started, making it nearly impossible to remove Jones from the ticket.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) offered one of the few full-throated endorsements Jones received on Saturday. Kaine, who said he has known Jones since he was 11, praised his record as both an attorney and state lawmaker.
“I’ve watched Jay the lawyer, Jay the legislator, and Jay the legislative leader, and Jay will be a great attorney general,” Kaine said.
Spanberger did not mention Jones during her remarks, nor did Obama — a notable omission at an event designed to energize Democrats up and down the ballot.
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Obama’s appearance in Norfolk was meant to galvanize black voters ahead of Election Day. If Jones were to win the election, he would become the first black attorney general in Virginia history. But the text message scandal has some Democrats worried the election could end in a split ticket if Miyares wins reelection.
Polling indicates that is a real possibility. According to RealClearPolitics, Miyares is leading Jones 46.8% to 43.3%, with just three days until Election Day.