Tuesday's elections were a disaster for Virginia's Republicans, but one defeat in particular was a stinging loss.
The Daily Caller reported that on Tuesday, Carrie Coyner lost her bid for reelection to the House of Delegates to Democrat Lindsey Dougherty by over five percentage points, while a storm of controversy swirled around violent messages sent to her by Democratic Attorney General-elect Jay Jones back in 2022.
Let’s rewind to 2022, when this mess first bubbled up. Jones, who would go on to win his own race against incumbent Jason Miyares on the same day as Coyner’s loss, sent texts to Coyner that were anything but neighborly. The content was so inflammatory that it sparked public backlash, and for good reason.
In those leaked messages, Jones didn’t hold back, targeting former Republican Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert with chilling words. As reported by the National Review, Jones wrote, “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.” If that’s not a red flag in political discourse, what is?
But it didn’t stop there. Jones also reportedly mused about attending Republican colleagues’ funerals just to desecrate their graves, stating he’d “send them out awash in something.” This kind of rhetoric isn’t just distasteful—it’s a stark reminder of how far civility has fallen in some corners of politics.
Jones even aimed at Gilbert’s family, labeling them “evil” and accusing them of “breeding little fascists,” per the reports. For a public figure eyeing a statewide office, these words aren’t just reckless; they’re a window into a troubling mindset that voters should weigh carefully.
During a phone call with Coyner, Jones allegedly went further, suggesting he wished Gilbert’s wife would suffer the unimaginable pain of watching her child die to sway Gilbert’s political views. Coyner, understandably horrified, ended the call abruptly. This isn’t a debate; it’s cruelty dressed up as strategy.
When Coyner pushed back on Jones, wishing harm on Gilbert’s children, his response was cold as ice. “Yes, I’ve told you this before,” Jones reportedly said, doubling down on the idea that personal pain is a political tool. If that’s the future of policy-making, count this conservative out.
Despite reaching out, Coyner declined to comment to the Daily Caller News Foundation on the matter. One can only imagine the toll this ordeal took on her, both personally and politically.
Fast forward to November 7, 2023, and the election results painted a grim picture for Republicans across Virginia. Democrats didn’t just win—they dominated, flipping the governor’s office, lieutenant governorship, and attorney general’s seat, with Jones securing his victory despite the scandal.
In the House of Delegates, Democrats picked up at least ten seats, including Coyner’s, signaling a seismic power shift. Coyner, reflecting on her defeat, showed grace under pressure.
“Tonight’s results mark the end of my time serving our community in elected office, but not the end of my love for this community or my commitment to its people,” she said.
With full control of Virginia’s state government, Democrats are poised to undo much of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s policy reforms. It’s a bitter pill for conservatives who’ve fought to protect school choice and parental rights from the progressive agenda.
Jones’ victory, despite his past rhetoric, suggests that voters either overlooked or forgave his words—or perhaps the Democratic wave was simply too strong. Still, it’s a troubling precedent when personal attacks and violent imagery don’t derail a candidate’s ambitions.