Speaker asks 2 Henrico supervisors to rescind endorsements of Jay Jones; they decline

A recent controversy involving Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones was brought to the local stage at a Henrico Board of Supervisors regular meeting Oct. 14.

During the public comment period of the board’s meeting, Richmond-area resident Andrew Hixson, who said he does not live in Henrico but works within the county, asked board members to denounce Jones and specifically asked Three Chopt District representative Misty Roundtree and Varina District representative Tyrone Nelson to rescind their endorsements of him.

On Oct. 3, an article from the National Review revealed a text exchange from August of 2022 between Jones and Republican state delegate Carrie Coyner, where Jones fantasized about shooting then-Republican House speaker Todd Gilbert and said he wished Gilbert’s children would “die in their mother’s arms.” Coyner publicly confirmed the exchange immediately after the article was released.

Jones immediately released a statement saying that he takes “full responsibility” for his actions and that he had reached out to Gilbert and his family to apologize. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger also released a statement condemning Jones’ remarks and said that she had spoken directly to him about the controversy.

Both Roundtree and Nelson – members of the Henrico Democrats – had publicly endorsed Jones for attorney general prior to the scandal, a fact that Hixson mentioned during his comments at the meeting.

“I think we all agree that this language from Mr. Jones is disgusting,” Hixson said. “If he speaks and thinks this way in private, why should we trust him to hold public power in Virginia? If he can speak so flippantly about the death of a colleague, then why should we trust him to be the top law enforcement officer in our state?”

“Do you still endorse the man who, if his fantasy came true, would celebrate the death of myself as a god-fearing, America-loving patriot?” he continued. “My hope for you, my hope for our commonwealth, my hope for our country, is that you would see Jay Jones just as the evil man that he truly is.”

Hixson requested that Roundtree and Nelson publicly retract their support for Jones and also asked other board members who had not made any formal endorsements of Jones to speak out against him.

“For those of you, Mr. Nelson and Mrs. Roundtree, who have endorsed him, I respectfully ask that you take back your endorsements. . . and I think you know what decision you need to make,” he said. “Although the rest of you have not issued a formal endorsement of Jay Jones, as far as I can tell, none of you have denounced him either, and I ask you to do so for the same reasons.”

During Hixson’s remarks, Nelson confirmed that he had endorsed Jones and also said that he had invited Jones to speak at his church, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, where he is a pastor, last weekend.

“Yes, yes I definitely endorsed Jay Jones. . . he was there last Sunday,” Nelson said. “Can we move on, Mr. Manager, please, so that we won’t say anything.”

In response to Hixson, Roundtree said she would not rescind her endorsement of Jones, who is running against current Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and instead reaffirmed her support for him.

“I know my colleagues are trying to stop me from saying anything, but no, I will not retract my endorsement. I very strongly stand in support of Jay Jones,” she said. “And while I respect your personal offense at the words that he spoke privately to somebody else three years ago with no intent for incitement whatsoever, I am compelled to be more offended by the daily decimation of the Constitution and due process. . . so thank you for allowing me the opportunity to clarify, confirm, and reaffirm my support for Jay Jones for attorney general.”

Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas also chastised Hixson for bringing up the controversy during the board meeting, saying that the comments were irrelevant to the evening’s discussions.

“Sir, you really, you are done,” he said to Hixson. “The fact that you know the board allows individuals from other localities to come forward, you come forward, address the board on a matter that has nothing to do. . . I apologize, members of the board, but I think sometimes you are entirely too kind.”

The Henrico Democrats released a statement on Oct. 7 saying that Jones’ text messages “were wrong” but that Jones has “taken responsibility and expressed real remorse.”

Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s government and education reporter. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.