Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) did not give a clear answer on whether he would vote for Virginia Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones following leaked text messages in which he talks openly about violence directed toward former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert (R).
“If you lived in Virginia would you vote for him?” Beshear, himself a former attorney general, was asked about Jones in an interview that aired Wednesday on Fox News’ “Special Report.”
The governor of Kentucky responded, “It would be very difficult for me to watch it. It’s really wrong, and it upsets me.”
Pressure has increased on Jones to drop out of the race after recent text message leaks. Many Republicans inside and outside the Old Dominion have urged jones has to leaveWhich also includes President Trump and Vice President Vance.
Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Winsom Earl-Sears has taken out an ad linking his opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), to Jones.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) recently called Jones Violent text messages exposed “Unforgivable” But he said he still ultimately supports Jones.
“Jay has apologized. The statements he made were indefensible, but I’ve known Jay Jones for 25 years and I think those statements were not appropriate,” Kaine told reporters in Washington on Wednesday.
He added, “I want other people in public life to sincerely apologize for these things, so no, I’m still a supporter.”
The Hill has contacted Jones’ campaign for comment.
