OPINION:
As noted in The Times’ Oct. 8 editorial, “Virginia’s pro-violence candidate,” Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate for Virginia attorney general, fantasized in text messages about murdering a Republican state legislator and his family. No major Democratic politician or supporter has called for Mr. Jones’ withdrawal from the race. It’s easy to see why.
It’s not clear to me whether Virginia law allows the Democratic Party to nominate a candidate to take Mr. Jones’ place, but it’s irrelevant because the Republican incumbent would win whether Jones is replaced or not. If the party didn’t appoint a replacement, the incumbent wins by default, for the votes cast for Mr. Jones before his withdrawal would be fewer than the votes cast for the incumbent through Election Day.
To date, more than 400,000 votes have been cast; it’s a total that grows by the day. Mr. Jones’ share of that vote couldn’t be transferred to his replacement, and the replacement’s share of votes cast from his appointment to Election Day would be fewer than the incumbent’s vote total. With or without a Jay Jones replacement, the incumbent wins.
That explains why no prominent Democrat has urged Mr. Jones to withdraw. They want to win at all costs, the public be damned.
JIM DUEHOLM
Washington
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