‘MASK-DOWN MOMENT’: Republican Who Faced Death Threat Slams Democrat Over Fantasizing About Shooting His Opponent

FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Kim Taylor, a Virginia Republican delegate who faced a death threat last month, condemned Democrat attorney general candidate Jay Jones for his text messages fantasizing about shooting Todd Gilbert, then the Republican speaker of the House of Delegates.

“Jay Jones’ vile and violent comments are beyond disqualifying,” Taylor told The Daily Signal in a statement Monday. “This is a mask-down moment for Democrats, and the silence from their national party leaders tells you everything you need to know.”

“Just weeks after a threat was made against my own life, I know how dangerous this rhetoric is,” she added. “Jones should drop out of the race immediately, and Democrats should have the backbone to say so.”

Jay Jones’ Comments

As National Review’s Audrey Fahlberg first reported, Jones texted the death wish to Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyner on Aug. 8, 2022, after Republicans had eulogized Joe Johnson Jr., a moderate Democrat. Gilbert had honored Johnson’s memory, though he had disagreed with Johnson on many issues.

Jones reportedly condemned Johnson’s political centrism and attacked Republicans for paying him tribute.

He suggested that, in a hypothetical situation in which he had two bullets and had the choice of shooting Gilbert, Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, or Cambodian dictator Pol Pot, he would save the bullets for his Republican former colleague “every time.”

“Three people, two bullets,” Jones wrote. “Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot.”

“Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” he added. “Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time.”

According to National Review, Jones called Coyner to explain himself. On the call, he reportedly wished Gilbert’s wife could watch her own child die in her arms so that Gilbert might reconsider his political views.

“Like all people, I’ve sent text messages that I regret and I believe that violent rhetoric has no place in our politics,” Jones said in a statement on the news.

Jones later said he had issued his “deepest apology to Speaker Gilbert and his family,” adding that “reading back those words made me sick to my stomach. I am embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry.” 

However, he also pivoted to attacking his Republican opponent, current Attorney General Jason Miyares.

“Let’s be clear about what is happening in the Attorney General race right now: Jason Miyares is dropping smears through Trump-controlled media organizations to assault my character and rescue his desperate campaign,” he added.

Democrat Responses

Republicans like Miyares and gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears have called for Jones to drop out. Even President Donald Trump has joined the chorus.

Democrats, meanwhile, seem to be sticking with Jones.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., called the comments “appalling” and “inconsistent with the person I’ve known.”

Abigail Spanberger, the Democrat nominee for governor, said she was “disgusted” by the remarks.

“I made clear to Jay that he must fully take responsibility for his words,” she added. “As a candidate—and as the next governor of our commonwealth—I will always condemn violent language in our politics.”

The Virginia Beach Democratic Committee issued a statement reaffirming support for Jones, calling for Virginians to “line up behind” him.

“We are lined up, ten toes down, ready to organize, mobilize and deliver voters for Jay and our entire Democratic ticket,” the committee wrote. “Recent press may have spotlighted past mistakes. We say, let those without sin cast the first stone. Jay Jones has taken responsibility, apologized and shown he is committed to serving with integrity and accountability that his public record already shows.”

Threat to Kim Taylor

Last month, authorities arrested Michael Ray Strawmyer, 33, and charged him with making a death threat against Taylor.

In a previous statement to The Daily Signal, Taylor pointed fingers at Spanberger, noting that the Democrat had repeatedly urged her supporters to “let your rage fuel you.” Spanberger claims the statement never had anything to do with violence, but was an exhortation to make phone calls and otherwise campaign for her.

“Just recently, a candidate for statewide office encouraged supporters to ‘let your rage fuel you’ when talking about Republicans,” Taylor said. “Words like these have consequences, and my family felt them firsthand.”

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