North Carolina Democrats in the state’s House of Representatives cut all ties with one of their candidates running for the state legislature after her past social media posts about violence against Republicans came to light.
The state’s House Democratic Caucus said it will no longer support Shelly Headen, who is seeking to unseat Republican state Rep. John Blust in North Carolina House District 62 this November.
“Shelly Headen’s posts are unacceptable and do not reflect the values we expect of our candidates,” a spokesperson for the caucus said in a statement to the Assembly. “The North Carolina House Democratic Caucus condemns these comments without qualification and will not support Shelly Headen’s candidacy.”
In an interview with the North Carolina news outlet, Headen admitted she “can’t remember what I’ve posted” but noted that she has “been very vocal against MAGA” in recent years.
One of her posts in question was a celebration of former Vice President Kamala Harris winning the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination: “I’m so excited! Ready for the MAGAs to die off!!”
In a comment underneath a Facebook post from 2025, Headen called for foreign attacks on states with a large conservative population. “I think our only hope is an attack on U.S. soil … preferably Alabama, Louisiana … where the stupid people live,” she wrote.
Headen also said “America is beyond peaceful protest” in reference to Luigi Mangione fatally shooting former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.
Additionally, she suggested conservatives “need to experience sexual assault so they can experience what Trump’s victims feel.”
Headen declined to claim responsibility for any of the posts. Instead of an honest self-reflection, she compared herself to Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King Jr., and Abraham Lincoln as she runs for office.
“I’ve sacrificed myself just like Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross, and Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln and all the people that put themselves out there to sacrifice for our country,” Headen told the Assembly. “If a few angry moments on social media are the end, then so be it. MAGA will keep winning if we continue with not standing up for what’s right.”
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Despite backlash from her own party and Republicans, Headen is refusing to drop out of the state race.
The Democratic candidate apparently paid $30,000 for a consulting firm to flag her social media posts for possible concerns, according to the report.