We wouldn't phrase it this way-- Dan Collins, writing at the Huffington Post, apparently gets away with using such language:

The primary elections for state legislature turned into a referendum, of sorts, on same-sex marriage. I'm sorry to say that gay rights had a bad day.

... there will be a huge impact on the way the legislature operates next year. The far right has sent the same message in New York that they've been sending Republican politicians around the country -- cross us and we'll kill you in a primary.

... The message from last week was that if it happened to him, it could happen to anybody. The best way to stay in office is to keep your head down.