Decision Follows Opposition to Key Trump Legislation, Setting Stage For Intense 2026 Battle
Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced Sunday he will not seek re-election for a third term, a decision that comes just one day after he voted against a key legislative package central to President Donald Trump’s agenda.
The two-term Republican stated a waning enthusiasm for another six years in Washington’s “political theatre and partisan gridlock,” choosing instead to prioritize time with his family.
Tillis’s announcement sends ripples through North Carolina politics, as his seat in the critical battleground state was already a top target for Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections.
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The North Carolina Republican’s decision follows a dramatic Senate vote on Saturday where he, alongside Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), broke with his party to oppose advancing President Trump’s “massive domestic policy bill.”
The sweeping legislation includes provisions to make Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, eliminate taxes on tips, increase border enforcement funding, and repeal green energy tax credits. Tillis cited concerns about the bill’s impact on Medicaid funding and hospital reimbursements in North Carolina, a state that expanded Medicaid in 2023.
President Trump swiftly reacted to Tillis’s vote on Truth Social, threatening to meet with potential primary challengers and stating, “Thom Tillis is making a BIG MISTAKE for America, and the Wonderful People of North Carolina!”
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In his statement, Tillis lamented the current political climate, comparing himself to former Democratic Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who became independents during their tenures. While not naming them directly, Tillis emphasized that independent voices in politics often face scorn. “When people see independent thinking on the other side, they cheer. But when those very same people see independent thinking coming from their side, they scorn, ostracize, and even censure them,” he said. He further remarked on the hypocrisy, noting that these “independent thinkers” were crucial for legislative function but were “shunned” for refusing to “cave to their party bosses.”
The open seat in North Carolina now sets the stage for a highly competitive race. Democrats are reportedly hopeful they can recruit former Governor Roy Cooper, a popular figure in the state, to enter the contest. However, former Representative Wiley Nickel has already declared his candidacy.
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“No matter which MAGA loyalist Donald Trump hand-picks to run in North Carolina, I’m the Democrat who’s ready to take them on and win. I’ve flipped a tough seat before and we’re going to do it again,” Nickel stated on Sunday. He added, “North Carolinians are independent-minded and won’t be fooled by extremists pushing an agenda that puts billionaires first and working families last.”
Tillis’s departure opens up a significant opportunity for Democrats as they eye regaining control of the Senate, where Republicans currently hold a 53-47 edge. North Carolina, a state with a significant independent voter bloc, has consistently delivered close election results. Tillis himself won his 2014 Senate race with 48.8% of the vote and was re-elected in 2020 with 48.7%. The absence of an incumbent will undoubtedly lead to a robust primary on both sides of the aisle as parties jockey for position in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched Senate races of the 2026 cycle.
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