RICHMOND, Virginia — In a pivotal moment during Thursday's televised debate, Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones faced scrutiny over past violence-themed text messages, offering a public apology amidst a fiery exchange with incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares.

“I'm ashamed, I'm embarrassed, and I'm sorry,” Jones expressed, addressing the controversy that has sparked a significant GOP backlash nationwide. The texts in question, which included harsh remarks about former Virginia Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert and other GOP members, were first highlighted by the National Review in 2022.

During the debate, Jones attempted to shift focus from his past actions, which he claimed had already been addressed and accounted for by Democratic leaders. "The stakes are too high for Virginia to dwell on past mistakes," Jones argued, accusing Miyares of politicizing the issue and ignoring similar language from Republicans.

However, Miyares was quick to challenge Jones' suitability for the role of the state's top law enforcement officer, citing both the text messages and other behaviors, such as Jones' recent high-speed driving incident reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "Jay Jones has not shown the experience or the judgment needed to serve as the top prosecutor," Miyares stated, emphasizing the importance of integrity in the office.

The debate also touched on Jones' compliance with legal repercussions from his traffic violation, where he was caught driving 116 mph in a 70 mph zone. Jones defended his actions, stating, "I completed the terms of the community service as outlined and approved by county officials at that time." This incident had also been leveraged by Miyares to question Jones' adherence to law.

The controversy surrounding Jones has attracted national attention, with figures like President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance condemning the Democratic candidate's rhetoric, especially in the wake of the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This tragic event has heightened sensitivities around violent political rhetoric.

As the debate concluded, the tension between the two candidates remained palpable, with each underscoring their vision and qualifications for the role of Virginia Attorney General. The incident and subsequent apologies by Jones are likely to continue influencing the political landscape as Virginians prepare to make their decision at the polls.

This story will be updated.