January 30, 2025 - Washington DC: Senator Thom Tillis watches as the Senate Intelligence Committee examines the nomination of Kashyap Patel for Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (Shutterstock/Maxim Elramsisy).
By BallotWire
2025
Washington, DC - Republican U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced that he will not run for a third term in the U.S. Senate in 2026. The 64-year-old lawmaker made his decision public just one day after breaking ranks with former President Donald Trump by voting against advancing Trump's proposed tax-and-spending plan, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Tillis cited concerns that the legislation included steep Medicaid cuts that could strip healthcare coverage from over 600,000 North Carolinians.
Tillis opposed the bill's procedural advancement in the Senate, warning that its provisions would devastate working-class families dependent on Medicaid. His vote drew swift retaliation from Trump, who lashed out at Tillis on Truth Social and threatened to back a primary challenger in 2026. Just 24 hours later, Tillis announced that he would not run again, framing his exit as a personal choice rather than a political surrender. "It's not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election." Tillis said in a statement. "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.”
Tillis's departure adds uncertainty to the 2026 Senate landscape and sets the stage for a high-profile contest in a critical swing state. Republicans currently hold a 53–47 majority in the Senate, and North Carolina's now open seat could play a pivotal role in determining control of the chamber. North Carolina has been one of the most closely contested states in recent federal elections, and slim margins often win its Senate races.
In 2022, Republican Congressman Ted Budd defeated Democratic former Chief Justice Cheri Beasley with 50.50% of the vote to her 47.30%. In 2020, Tillis won reelection against Democrat Cal Cunningham by a similarly narrow margin—48.69% to 46.94%. His initial 2014 victory was also close, with a margin of about 1.5 percentage points.
The Republican field is expected to draw significant attention, with several names circulating as possible contenders. Lara Trump, Donald Trump's daughter-in-law and former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, is considered a potential candidate. Other GOP candidates include conservative commentator Don Brown and Navy veteran Andy Nilsson. On the Democratic side, former U.S. Representative Wiley Nickel has already declared his candidacy, and former Governor Roy Cooper is reportedly weighing a run.
Tillis's tenure in the Senate has been marked by a centrist reputation and a willingness to work across the aisle, positioning him as a rare bipartisan voice in an era of increasing party polarization. His decision to step down underscores the growing pressure within the GOP to align with Trump's agenda—and the consequences for those who don't. As both parties prepare for what promises to be one of the most competitive Senate races of 2026, North Carolina once again finds itself in the national spotlight.