Candidate's twerks and Only Fans-like campaign shocks Democrats, voters

When was the last time a congressional campaign looked like a viral TikTok feed? Amid America's polarised political climate, a Michigan Democrat's twerking videos, profanity-laced posts, and confrontational online persona have exploded into a full-blown controversy. Democratic congressional candidate for Michigan, Shelby Campbell, has gone viral and is facing a severe backlash after she posted a twerking video and several other unhinged posts on her social media as part of her campaign. Her unconventional campaign has drawn widespread attention ahead of the August election.

Campbell, the 32-year-old single mother, has been posting dance videos and responding to critics and political commentary as part of her campaign strategy.

The Democratic candidate is a law student and a member of the United Auto Workers. She is running against Democratic Representative Shri Thanedar in a crowded primary race.

Campbell's candidacy has also highlighted divisions within the Democratic Party. The progressive factions of the Democrats are seeking to unseat Shri Thanedar, who is a wealthy pharmaceutical entrepreneur and has represented the heavily Democratic Michigan district since 2021.

Campbell's campaign website openly references her past legal troubles and displays four mugshots, which she presents as part of her personal story and political identity. However, several clips posted on her official social media accounts have triggered backlash online after they amassed millions of views.

One viral video showed Campbell dancing and twerking in her home while responding to critics. In another clip, she defended her personality and campaign style while addressing online attacks. The videos quickly spread across social media, sparking sharp reactions from political commentators and users online.

In a post, Campbell proudly proclaimed, "I am a c***". In another, she filmed herself smiling to a song with lyrics such as "I've got a big fat p****".

CAMPBELL'S ONLINE PERSONA COMPARED TO ONLY FANS VIDEOS

People questioned whether Campbell's online persona was appropriate for a congressional campaign. A user on X argued that the content of Campbell was "vulgar and unfit for office", adding that voters in Michigan "deserved more serious political representation".

Another US-based X user criticised Shelby Campbell over her viral campaign videos, accusing the Democratic candidate of turning her congressional run into an attention-seeking online performance.

In a post on X, the user claimed Campbell's videos, showing dancing clips and confrontational responses to critics, resembled "an OnlyFans audition rather than a political campaign". The post also mocked her "working class" campaign messaging and questioned whether such behaviour reflected the standards Democrats wanted in Congress.

"Meet Shelby Campbell (Dem candidate for Congress) twerking to 'P**** Power' lyrics, squatting at the camera, flipping off critics, and campaigning like it's an OnlyFans audition. This is what Dems want in the House now? Single mum doing explicit dances for votes while running on 'working class' values. Standards are in the dirt," the user posted.

The user further criticised, describing the viral videos as a "clown show" and expressing frustration over the growing attention surrounding Campbell's online persona.

"Shaking my damn head. Michiganians are facing viral thirst traps. What a clown show," it added.

Another user on X posted saying, "I doubt she cares about the campaign. She is doing this for publicity. I bet she opens an 'Onlyfans' site if she doesn’t already have one."

CONTROVERSIES NOT NEW FOR SHELBY CAMPBELL

Apart from the recent backlash over her viral twerking and dancing videos, Campbell has faced criticism over several other controversies linked to her unconventional social media-driven campaign.

In 2025, Campbell and her campaign were sued by Campbell Soup Company in a trademark infringement case after using the slogan "Soup 4 Change" alongside visuals resembling the company's iconic soup can branding. The company alleged that the campaign's imagery could mislead consumers into believing it endorsed her candidacy.

Campbell initially mocked a cease-and-desist notice online before eventually settling the lawsuit and agreeing to stop using the disputed designs.

The Democratic candidate's social media activity has repeatedly triggered criticism. Several of her TikTok videos featuring dancing, twerking, and lip-syncing clips went viral in 2026, with several people calling the content inappropriate and unprofessional for a congressional candidate.

Some videos also drew attention for her use of explicit language while responding to online critics, further intensifying backlash.

Campbell also faced outrage over a now-deleted video in which she criticised the public culture of "thanking the troops", arguing that vulnerable people were often pushed into military service while political leaders avoided the consequences of war. The remarks sparked anger among US Army veterans and right-wing conservative commentators.

Another controversy emerged after the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk in 2025, when videos circulated online showing Campbell responding to related discussions on social media. People accused her of displaying poor judgment and using provocative rhetoric, although she also stated that no one deserved to be murdered.

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