Virginia Democrats Invited to Share Stage With AG Candidate Jay Jones but Failed to Show

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., was invited to appear at a Virginia Democrat fundraiser and declined amid criticism by Republicans of his support for embattled Virginia Democrat attorney general nominee Jay Jones.

The Oct. 17 Stafford Democratic Committee fundraiser listed Warner, Jones, and Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., as “invited guests,” but all failed to show.

Republicans have been excoriating Virginia Democrats for continuing to support Jones and have been demanding that they distance themselves from him after violent and threatening text messages sent by Jones were leaked.

But Warner’s office cited a scheduling conflict for his failure to appear.

“He was never scheduled to attend this event,” Rachel Cohen, Warner’s communications director, told the Daily Signal. “He was invited but declined based on his schedule.”

Warner donated $25,000 to Jones’ campaign in August. He made a public statement on Oct. 3 via X, “The comments attributed to Jay Jones are appalling, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the person I’ve known.” 

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According to the National Republican Senate Committee, as of Oct. 13, Warner was “still actively campaigning and fundraising with him,” and was “scheduled to appear” at the fundraiser.

Howard Rudat, chair of the Virginia Democrats’ Stafford chapter, told the Daily Signal the group invited all three of them in July. He said Jones declined the invitation that month and Vindman canceled due to the shutdown. Vindman’s office and Jones’ campaign could not be reached to confirm.

Nevertheless, the Stafford Democratic Committee did not replace the flyers saying that all three had been invited. Rudat told The Daily Signal this was due to it being a volunteer organization and lack of “bandwidth.”

Rudat said the “absolute” success of the fundraiser had nothing to do with the advertised “invited guests.” He added that attendees were “probably” not disappointed by their absence.  

Republicans across the state continue to call for Jones to step down, saying he is unfit for office.

Rep. Jen Kiggans told The Daily Signal, “Jay Jones’ comments aren’t just unacceptable—they’re disqualifying. Threatening rhetoric and violent language have no place in Virginia politics, and certainly not from someone asking to be our attorney general. Any Virginia Democrat should know this and should immediately demand Jones step aside.”