RICHMOND, Va. — The race for Virginia attorney general reached a new point Wednesday night as Republican Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones traded sharp attacks in their first and only debate , a contentious showdown dominated by questions of judgment, accountability, and a text message scandal that has shadowed Jones’ campaign for weeks.

On stage at the University of Richmond, the two men wasted no time turning their opening statements into pointed critiques. Jones, a former state delegate from Norfolk, began by acknowledging the controversy that’s dogged him since early October, when text messages surfaced showing him imagining violent acts toward a state official and his family.

“Let me be very clear,” Jones said. “I’m ashamed, I’m embarrassed, and I’m sorry.”

Jone

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