(The Center Square) – Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones are set to face off Thursday night in their first and only debate.
The debate comes after weeks of controversy surrounding Jones’ leaked text messages, which have drawn national attention and calls for him to withdraw from the race.
The messages, first reported by National Review, included Jones writing in 2022 that a Republican leader would “receive both bullets” when compared to Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot.
Jones has apologized, saying he takes “full responsibility” for his words, which he called “inexcusable.” He said he reached out to the family personally to apologize.
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears called the remarks “horrible to read” and said Jones “can never be attorney general of Virginia.”
The fallout carried into the governor’s race days later. During their first and only debate, Earle-Sears pressed Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger to denounce Jones’ texts, calling them violent and disqualifying.
Spanberger described the comments as “absolutely abhorrent” and said violent language has no place in politics, adding that voters should decide.
Democrats, meanwhile, have called on Republicans to remove members of a Young Republicans group chat that included racist messages.
Miyares and Sears said they had already called on those involved to step down and argued Democrats should now hold Jones to the same standard after his own leaked texts.
The attorney general debate comes amid this broader exchange, giving Miyares another opportunity to emphasize his public safety message while increasing pressure on Jones ahead of early voting, which ends Nov. 1.
Miyares, elected in 2021, is seeking a second term. His campaign has focused on fentanyl prevention, combating retail theft, and strengthening parental rights in schools.
Jones has framed his campaign around reform and accountability, arguing that the attorney general’s office should play a larger role in protecting consumers and ensuring equal treatment under the law.
The debate is hosted by the Virginia State Bar at the University of Richmond School of Law.
Election Day is November 4.
