WASHINGTON D.C., DC — U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine is standing by Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones despite widespread outrage over leaked text messages in which Jones appeared to wish harm on a Republican lawmaker and his family.

“The comments are completely indefensible,” Kaine told CNN’s Manu Raju on Tuesday. “I’ve known Jay Jones for 25 years, and those comments are very much out of character. So if I put the comments, which are clearly beyond the pale, against knowing this guy for 25 years, I’m still supporting Jay Jones.”

The 2022 messages, first reported by The National Review and confirmed by the Associated Press , showed Jones texting GOP Delegate Carrie Coyner that then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert should get “two bullets to the head.” Jones also referred to Gilbert and hi

See Full Page