The DAGA, which helps elect democratic attorneys general, has given Jones $750,000 since his texting scandal broke
Jay Jones boasted that the $500,000 he raked in just 24 hours after his Oct. 16 debate was “a clear sign of momentum and enthusiasm”—but that funding can be attributed entirely to a single PAC centered on electing Democratic attorney general candidates like himself.
“In less than 24 hours following the Virginia Attorney General Debate … the Jones campaign announced it has raised $500,000 – a clear sign of momentum and enthusiasm in the final stretch to Election Day,” an Oct. 17 press release read.
A campaign finance report released this week shows Jones actually fell short of that goal, even though the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) donated $250,000 on Friday, Oct. 17. The Jones campaign told the Virginia Scope the discrepancy was because “one contribution did not make it in by the wire deadline and hit the books the next business day.” The DAGA provided the remaining $250,000 on Monday, Oct. 20.
In the Oct. 17 announcement, Jones campaign manager Rachel Rothman claimed the fundraising haul marked a grassroots effort.
“Virginians are stepping up to join our campaign because the stakes of this election are clear: either MAGA Miyares lets Trump control Virginia, or we finally elect an attorney general who puts Virginians first,” she said.
The DAGA also provided a separate $250,000 donation to Jones on Oct. 22, bringing its total contributions to $750,000 since texts surfaced showing Jones fantasizing about putting “two bullets to the head” of a GOP lawmaker and wishing for the death of that lawmaker’s children.
Between Oct. 16 and Oct. 17, Jones did receive roughly $105,000 in high-dollar donations from non-DAGA sources. It isn’t clear why the campaign didn’t include the additional funding—or chose to round down—in its announcement. It also ignored any small-dollar donations it received.
Jones is in need of genuine grassroots support with the election just five days away. His polls have cratered since the texting scandal—and others—broke, showing his considerable lead evaporating. Jones now trails Jason Miyares, his Republican opponent and incumbent attorney general.
Jones is also facing an investigation surrounding community service hours he reported as part of a 2022 reckless driving conviction. After police caught him driving 116 miles per hour on a highway, he was ordered to pay a fine, complete a “rigorous” driver improvement course, and complete 1,000 hours of community service. But he logged 500 hours of those by doing work for his own PAC, and alleged he completed them within a calendar year while also working full-time at a law firm and campaigning around the state.
The Jones campaign and the DAGA did not respond to requests for comment.
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