North Carolina House Democrats were quick to distance themselves from one of their nominees this week after inflammatory social media posts resurfaced.

Shelly Headen is the Democratic nominee in North Carolina House District 62 challenging incumbent GOP Representative John Blust. The competitive race is one of many being watched as both statewide Republicans and Democrats try and seize control of the key battleground state in the looming midterm elections.

Headen was found to have posted the inflammatory comments on Facebook and X. Included in her history of posts were calls for violence against Republicans and death on supporters of President Donald Trump. One post read, "I think our only hope is an attack on US soil… preferably Alabama, Louisiana… where the stupid people live." Another stated she was "Ready for the MAGAs to die off" and a similar post called Trump's movement "more destructive and evil than the Nazis."

Additional posts and comments were lengthy, but notable ones suggested that America needed violent protests to break out and that Trump supporters "need to experience sexual assault".

Communications Director of the Democratic Caucus Sam Lozier condemned the posts outright.

"Shelly Headen’s posts are unacceptable and do not reflect the values we expect of our candidates," Lozier said. "The North Carolina House Democratic Caucus condemns these comments without qualification and will not support Shelly Headen’s candidacy."

The posts drew scrutiny after House Republicans highlighted them publicly. Destin Hall, Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, wrote a post on X responding to the report and called the matter "Absolutely disgusting."

In an interview, Headen acknowledged writing anti-Trump posts but claimed she could not recall the specific language. She said she had paid a consulting firm $30,000 to review her social media. Haeden indicated she would continue her campaign into November despite her party's withdrawal of support.

In direct response to the scrutiny, Headen defended her campaign and her record. She stated she had sacrificed herself "like Jesus", going on to further compare herself to "Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln and all the people that put themselves out there to sacrifice for our country.”

This development comes as Democrats seek to gain ground in North Carolina ahead of the coming November general elections. Midterm elections are historically difficult for the political party in power, which national Democrat party leaders hope will hurt GOP candidates down the ballot. District 62 is viewed as a potential pickup opportunity; the NC House seat could make all the difference in a purple state where Democrats still hold on to hopes of narrowing the gap, if not take the majority.

This episode, as well as Haeden's declaration she will remain in the race, are expected to complicate those efforts.