Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced Sunday afternoon that he will not seek reelection in 2026 — a decision that follows closely on the heels of his Saturday night vote against President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending proposal, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA).
Tillis cited increasing political gridlock in Washington and a desire to spend more time with family as reasons for his decision to step away from public office.
“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,” the senator revealed 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.”
“It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking reelection,” he added.
His vote against the OBBBA — which includes major cuts to Medicaid and a phaseout of clean energy tax credits — drew swift backlash from Trump. The president promptly and publicly rebuked Tillis on social media, accusing him of failing to support his agenda and strongly implying he would support a primary challenger.
Tillis’ announcement came just hours after Trump posted to Truth Social, stating his intention to meet with potential challengers to Tillis following the senator’s high-profile break with the GOP bill.
In his earlier post, Trump said he planned to back someone who would “properly represent the Great People of North Carolina and, so importantly, the United States of America.”
Tillis’ retirement opens up a competitive U.S. Senate race in North Carolina, a key political battleground. Possible Republican candidates include Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley and RNC Vice Chair Lara Trump.
On the Democratic side, former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel has already declared his candidacy.
Tillis holds one of only two Senate seats controlled by Republicans in states that didn’t back Trump by double digits in the 2024 election.
Now 64, Tillis has served two terms in the Senate and previously held the role of speaker in the North Carolina House of Representatives. His departure signals a seismic shift in North Carolina’s political landscape as both parties gear up for a high-stakes race in 2026.
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Bye Bye Tillis! Good riddance!
Pathetic that he gripes about the gridlock, while helping cause it.
A Trump, even by marriage, should hold the seat…with a great conservative to replace a RINO.