The race for Virginia Attorney General reached a boiling point Thursday night as Democrat Jay Jones and Republican incumbent Jason Miyares faced off in their only televised debate of the campaign. The matchup came at a crucial moment, with early voting already underway and Jones struggling to contain backlash over a string of shocking and violent text messages that had dominated headlines for weeks.
2025 Virginia Attorney General Debate: Jones vs. Miyares
When: Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM ET
Where: University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia
Full Video: Watch Below
Full Video – VA Attorney General Debate – Myares vs. Jones (Oct. 16)
Watch the full video below from YouTube:
The Jay Jones Text Messages
Jones enters the debate facing widespread condemnation for text messages in which he wished harm on former Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert, saying he wanted to “put bullets in his head” and that he hoped Gilbert’s children would die “so he could know pain.” In other messages, Jones referred to “pissing on the graves” of GOP opponents and made inflammatory remarks about police, saying “if more cops died, maybe they’d shoot less.” The remarks, first reported earlier this month, have drawn rebukes from both parties and prompted calls for him to withdraw from the race.
Miyares, seeking a second term, is expected to highlight his stellar record on crime reduction, fentanyl enforcement, and support for law enforcement across Virginia. He has largely stayed above the controversy while using it to contrast his leadership style with what he calls “reckless extremism” from his opponent.
The debate will offer voters their first direct comparison between the two men vying to serve as Virginia’s top law enforcement officer. With the stakes high and tensions running even higher, the University of Richmond stage will serve as the focal point of one of the most closely watched statewide races of 2025.
Watch the live stream above starting at 6 PM ET.