Geary Higgins, Delegate for Virginia’s 30th House District, expressed concerns over Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones’ violent text messages about killing Speaker Todd Gilbert. Higgins said that these messages highlight the dangers of political rage and a growing climate of hostility toward public servants. The statement was posted on X.
“They shot the President,” said Higgins, Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates (District 30). “They killed Charlie Kirk. They threatened to kill Kim Taylor. Now we learn Jay Jones repeatedly said he wanted to kill Speaker Todd Gilbert.”
According to CBS News, Virginia Attorney General candidate Jay Jones faced bipartisan backlash after texts surfaced in which he fantasized about shooting House Speaker Todd Gilbert and referenced harm to his children. Political figures from both parties condemned the remarks as “violent” and “unacceptable,” urging Jones to exit the race.
Axios reports that the U.S. Capitol Police investigated 8,008 threats against members of Congress in 2023, a figure nearly quadruple that of 2017. Analysts warn that increasingly hostile political rhetoric and online harassment have heightened risks for elected officials and their families, intensifying concerns about political safety nationwide.
According to the Virginia State Police 2024 Annual Crime Analysis Report, violent crime and aggravated assaults continue to pose major challenges across the Commonwealth. The report notes that firearm-related offenses and threats against community leaders remain an ongoing concern for public safety agencies and local law enforcement.
Higgins is a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 30th District. Before serving in the General Assembly, he was a member of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, representing the Catoctin District. Higgins has focused his career on education policy, workforce development, and supporting public safety initiatives in Virginia.
