The Office of U.S. Senator Thom Tillis said the number of death threats and disturbances its seen have staff worried about safety. Local democratic groups said this is not their intent, that death threats do nothing but hurt their pushes for change.

A woman warned Sen. Thom Tillis to be “very careful about going out in public.” A man said he wanted to cut Tillis’ throat. Another told the North Carolina Republican that a constituent could take an ax handle and cave in his head.