Nothingburger.
Despite what Atlas and the media would have you believe, most state legislators have cordial cross-partisan relationships with one another. Cotham previously served in the NC House before making a comeback last year; it would not be unusual for her former Republican colleagues to reach out with words of support given her seat is non-competitive (D+20.)
Something, something; the devil you know is better than the one you don't know., etc.
That never happens unless one party is intentionally trying to plant someone in a race for political gain. Your logic is about as sensible as saying that Willie Brown was just being bipartisan when he put two Republicans up to being California Assembly Speaker when Republican gained a narrow majority.
