The only debate between Virginia gubernatorial candidate, Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger, and Lt. Winsome-Sears‘s (R-VA) debate quickly turned into disagreements, personal insults and a brewing scandal involving Democrat Jay Jones.

Jones, the Democratic candidate for Attorney General, sent violent texts suggesting that he would shoot two bullets at former Virginia Republican House speaker Todd Gilbert.

Jones’ race in Virginia has been thrown into turmoil by the revelation. Republicans, including Donald Trump, have called for Jones to withdraw from the race. Earle-Sears and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares have released advertisements attacking Democrats for the Jones scandal.

Democrats did not call for Jones to end his campaign. Earle-Sears criticized Spanberger for her silence about whether Jones’ campaign should be ended.

Earle-Sears, in her answer to the first question about the car tax of the Commonwealth, quickly tried to turn the discussion into a Jones-centric debate and continued attacking throughout the hour-long debate.

Earle-Sears asked during Thursday’s debate, “I wonder why my opponent will not say that it is beyond abhorrent, and disgusting… that he has to leave the race, because Jay Jones advocated murder, Abigail. The murder of a woman, a former Speaker, as well his children who were 2 years, 2-years-old, and 5-years-old.”

“I was born Jamaican and I witnessed this kind of violence when I was only 10 years old. That’s why I ask my opponent, please, to ask him to withdraw from the race. “Have some political courage,” added she.

Spanberger remained silent as the lieutenant-governor grilled her about Jones’s involvement on the Democratic ticket.

“You’ve got little girls. What would be required – for him to pull the trigger? What would it take? You would then say that he should get out of the race. Abigail, what’s your response? Abigail? Earle-Sears taunted Abigail.

Spanberger faced forward, but didn’t turn to face Earle-Sears when he asked questions.

Spanberger said to the audience at Norfolk State University she hated Jones’s message, but she dodged repeatedly questions about whether he was still on the ticket.

“The comments made by Jay Jones are absolutely abhorrent.” Spanberger initially said, “I denounced them as soon as I heard of them and I will continue to denounce every chance I get.” “As a mom, as a government employee, as a governor candidate, I denounce these people.”

She attacked Earle-Sears, accusing her of selectively expressing outrage over political violence in the interest of Democrats.

“My opponent is only against violence when she’s the one who’s being attacked,” said Spanberger.

Earle-Sears retorted, “Don’t lie so much, Abigail.”

“I hope she will in the future endeavor to denounce violence and violent rhetoric, regardless of who the victims are,” Spanberger concluded. “You refer to me regularly as your enemy. I am not your enemy. You are not mine. “We are political adversaries.”

Jones dodged a question about the future campaign of the Democratic candidate for governor.

We are all in our own races. Spanberger interrupted Earle-Sears and said, “I believe that my opponent said that about her nominee for lieutenant governor.” It is up to each individual to make their decision. “I am running this race to serve Virginia and that’s what I intend to.”

“I say that as of right now, each voter is responsible for making their own decision. I am running to be governor. “I am responsible for my words, actions, and policies,” she said when asked again.

During the entire debate, Earle Sears was aggressive, interrupting Spanberger and re-directing her responses to her opponent’s questions. The moderators criticized her for talking over Spanberger.

Earle-Sears claimed that Spanberger’s unwillingness to withdraw her endorsement of Jones was a sign of bad leadership.

Earle-Sears told him: “You need to make tough choices. That means telling Jay Jones that he should leave the race.”

She repeated, “Abigail must say something.”

Early voting in Virginia has begun and will end on November 1, before Election Day, which is November 4. Last week, the Jones scandal broke out after early voting began on September 20.