Virginia AG candidate Jay Jones faces outrage after a viral video shows him appearing to kick a small dog near a polling station (Photo: X | @jonesjay)
Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones was at the center of a political firestorm Tuesday after a video surfaced that apparently shows him trying to kick a small dog outside a polling place.
The footage, which rapidly spread under the hashtag #DogKickingVideo, has set off intense public outrage and reignited debate about his judgment and temperament with just weeks to go before election day, the controversy could eclipse his campaign and open new questions about his fitness for office.
The video is captured by bystanders and first posted online by Klarke Kilgore, chief of staff to Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, shows Jones outside a polling station as a woman approaches with her leashed dog.
As the dog approaches him, Jones lifts his foot in an apparent effort to kick or shoo the animal away. He drops his leg almost immediately and does not strike the animal, but the action has generated outrage. To many viewers, it was a bizarre and unprofessional thing to do, from a man who seeks to lead the state's top law enforcement office.
ALSO READ: Generational Battle for New York: Mamdani, Cuomo & Sliwa Face Off for Mayor 2025
This latest incident adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding Jones. Earlier this month, leaked text messages from 2022 surfaced in which he allegedly fantasized about violent acts against a Republican colleague and the colleague's children. The messages prompted bipartisan criticism and calls for him to suspend his campaign.
While Jones apologized for the texts, saying he was angry at the time and meant none of those things literally, the resurfacing of those remarks along with the viral video has revived questions about his temperament and emotional stability.
ALSO READ: Miss Universe 2025: Fatima Bosch’s Walkout Exposes Rift with Director Nawat Itsaragrisil
Though the video isn't pixelated and blurry, keen observers note that Jones's foot never actually touches the dog. The motion of his foot appears more like a feigned or playful kick, but for many viewers, intent is as critical as action for someone who positions himself to represent justice and restraint. Whether framed as frustration, poor judgment or misplaced humor, the episode has placed Jones under a cloud of public skepticism.
Now, with the campaign in its last stretch, the video maintains headline dominance, with many voters forced to confront an uncomfortable question: If this is how a candidate conducts himself in public, how would he behave when entrusted with power?
ALSO READ: Nancy Pelosi Calls Trump “Vile” Ahead of California’s Proposition 50 Vote
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available footage and reports. All claims remain under verification pending official investigation.
