After rant surfaces about ‘Mexicans,’ NC Democrat drops out of House race

A Democratic candidate for the North Carolina state House said Wednesday that she plans to drop out of her race, an announcement that comes about a week after she apologized for anti-immigration comments she made in an old blog post.

Cathy von Hassel-Davies had planned to challenge Republican Rep. Dennis Riddell in an Alamance County district located west of Durham and east of Greensboro.

The N.C. Democratic Party distanced itself from von Hassel-Davies last week after news emerged of a post she wrote in April 2006. In it, she used strong language to criticize “Mexicans” and how the U.S. treats them.

“[D]o they not know what the word ILLEGAL means? Oh you know what, they might not since the US bends over backwards to kiss their f------ ass and spends how much of our tax dollars putting up signs in Spanish and American,” the post reads. “Okay we live in F----ing America people we speak English,” the blog said.

The party’s Hispanic-American Caucus called on von Hassel-Davies to step down. On Wednesday, a post on her Facebook page announced that she is dropping out.

“After having time to reflect and talk to my family, friends and community leaders I have decided it is in the best interest of not only the constituents of House District 64, but also my family that I step aside,” the Facebook post says. “While I have decided to end my candidacy, I still believe it is critical that we elect someone who will represent us in Raleigh by working to improve our public schools, recruit new jobs to our state and fix our broken health care system.”

Von Hassel-Davies doesn’t mention the blog controversy but appears to allude to it.

“I am deeply sorry to the people that I have hurt. I’ve lived here for over a decade and I started off my campaign with the intention of serving and making Alamance County a better place to live and raise a family,” the post says.

The announcement comes about three months before the November elections, when Democrats will try to gain influence in the legislature.

Republicans have enough votes in the N.C. General Assembly to override vetoes issued by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Von Hassel-Davies was among the Democratic contingent hoping to break the Republican supermajority.

Members of the Alamance County Democratic Party who live in the district can nominate a replacement for von Hassel-Davies by Aug. 8. So long as von Hassel-Davies officially withdraws and the party names a replacement candidate by Aug. 8, that person’s name will appear on the ballot instead of hers.

Wayne Goodwin, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said von Hassel-Davies met with members of the community before making her decision.

“Following several conversations last week between Cathy and members of the Hispanic community, the Hispanic caucus, and the Democratic Party, it became clear that she could not restore trust with the Hispanic community and it was best for her to step aside,” Goodwin said in a statement. “The Hispanic community is an important part of our state and the Democratic party, and Democrats will continue to advocate for and support candidates who represent our shared values.”

This story was originally published July 25, 2018 at 1:58 PM.