One day after he drew criticism from President Trump for opposing the party’s sweeping domestic policy package, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., announced Sunday that he would not run for re-election. The decision opens up seat in battleground North Carolina that is expected to be one of the most hotly contested races of the 2026 midterms.
The announcement came just hours after Pres. Trump said he will start fielding primary challengers to run against Tillis following the senator’s vote against advancing Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ to a vote in the Senate.
Trump attacked Tillis in a series of social media posts after the Senator voted against advancing the GOP’s massive domestic policy bill Saturday, and threatened to meet with potential primary challengers. Trump said on Truth Social: “Looks like Senator Thom Tillis, as usual, wants to tell the Nation that he’s giving them a 68% Tax Increase, as opposed to the Biggest Tax Cut in American History! Thom Tillis is making a BIG MISTAKE for America, and the Wonderful People of North Carolina! Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against “Senator Thom” Tillis. I will be meeting with them over the coming weeks, looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina and, so importantly, the United States of America”
Trump’s criticism came hours after Tillis said in a statement that he “cannot support this bill in its current form,” pointing to expected cuts to Medicaid he said would “result in tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina, including our hospitals and rural communities.”
Tillis wrote a lengthy statement announcing his decision, shaing that he has not been enthusiastic about seeking a third six-year term in the Senate: “In Washington over the last few years, it’s become increasingly evident that leaders who are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise, and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species .. As many of my colleagues have noticed over the last year, and at times even joked about, I haven’t exactly been excited about running for another term. That is true since the choice is between spending another six years navigating the political theatre and partisan gridlock in Washington or spending that time with the love of my life Susan, our two children, three beautiful grandchildren, and the rest of our extended family back home. It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election.”
Republicans will now seek to find a replacement for Tillis, with Reps. Richard Hudson and Pat Harrigan are seen as potential candidates. National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott said the party was confident they would be able to defend the seat without Tillis in the race: “President Trump has won North Carolina three times, and the state’s been represented by two Republican Senators for over a decade. That streak will continue in 2026 when North Carolinians elect a conservative leader committed to advancing an agenda of opportunity, prosperity, and security.”
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