In a decision that’s sending shockwaves through North Carolina political circles and national political circles, US Senator Thom Tillis announced abruptly on Sunday, June 29 that he will not seek re-election in 2026.
The move came just hours after President Donald Trump publicly lashed out at Tillis on social media – sharply criticizing the senator from North Carolina for opposing the high-profile Trump-backed “Big Beautiful Bill” that Trump has bet the farm on.
Tillis, who’s served in the Senate since 2015, said in a written statement that he’d made up his mind well before the latest round of intra-party conflict.
He pointed to personal reasons for his exit from politics.
“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,” Tillis stated. “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.”
In other words, he’s retiring to spend more time with his family.
However, few in Raleigh or in Washington or in political circles across the country missed the timing: Tillis’ announcement came shortly after Trump launched a fiery series of posts attacking the senator over his opposition to the Big Beautiful Bill.
“America wants Reduced Taxes, including NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, AND NO TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY, Interest Deductions on Cars, Border Security, a Strong Military, and a Bill which is GREAT for our Farmers, Manufacturers and, Employment, in general,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Thom Tillis is making a BIG MISTAKE for America, and the Wonderful People of North Carolina!”
Tillis had said earlier that he couldn’t support Trump’s bill in its current form. Tillis cited concerns about projected Medicaid cuts that he argued would disproportionately harm rural hospitals and low-income communities across North Carolina.
Trump wrote in another post before Tillis announced his intention not to run again: “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.”
While Tillis has long been considered a pragmatic and often moderate voice within the Republican Party, that approach has increasingly put him at great odds with the Trump wing of the party – the MAGA senators who back Trump wholeheartedly on even highly controversial decisions such as the president’s decision earlier in the year to implement gigantic tariffs on virtually every country on earth. Tillis has worked across the aisle on immigration reform, gun legislation and budget matters – moves that had already put him in hot water with far-right Trump supporters.
The recent posts by Trump were nothing new. Tillis has been a frequent recipient of ire from Trump both on social media and in spoken comments for a long time.
Tillis’ announcement instantly transforms North Carolina into a key battleground in what’s expected to be a ferociously contested 2026 Senate fight. With the US Senate narrowly divided, any shift in the balance could have huge consequences. A Democratic takeover of the Senate would all but derail Trump’s legislative agenda in his final two years.
On the Democratic side of that Senate race, all eyes are on former NC Governor Roy Cooper, whose name is being floated as a potential candidate. Cooper served two terms and left office with relatively high approval ratings. If he enters the race, he would bring statewide name recognition to the extremely high-stakes campaign battle.
For Republicans, however, the picture is murkier. Trump remains very popular among a large swath of North Carolina GOP voters and any Republican who gets Trump’s endorsement in North Carolina will suddenly be the clear primary frontrunner next year. Trump has made no secret of his great admiration for former Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, who is as MAGA as it gets and who is a complete Trump loyalist. But Robinson stated publicly in January that he would not seek elected office again.
Trump has been effusive in his praise of Robinson, calling him “Martin Luther King on steroids” and also saying, “I think you are Martin Luther King times two,” At a Mar‑a‑Lago fundraiser, Trump described Robinson as “an outstanding person” and said he was “like a fine wine,” and he urged supporters that “we have to cherish Mark.”
Robinson lost the governor’s race by a large margin after a huge scandal broke out over some highly offensive remarks Robinson allegedly made on porn sites years ago.
While Robinson doesn’t have his eye on the seat, there are no doubt plenty of Republicans who would like to take Tillis’ seat.
Tillis’ departure could also mark a generational shift within North Carolina’s GOP. His decision to step aside underscores the ongoing tension within the Republican Party – between Trump-aligned populists and traditional conservatives who are very concerned about the way the new bill would continue to grow the country’s debt, which is already gigantic.
Tillis’ retirement also removes one of the Senate’s more prominent bipartisan dealmakers at a time when cross-party cooperation is already truly at an all-time low.
The vacancy sets the stage for what’s likely to be one of the most expensive and closely watched Senate races in the country. National campaign committees from both parties are expected to pour tens of millions of dollars into North Carolina, hoping to either hold or flip the seat.
And with Trump making it clear he intends to play a kingmaker role in the GOP primary, the internal fight over the future of the North Carolina Republican Party may be just beginning.
For Tillis, however, the political fighting is something he plans to leave behind and perhaps spend more time at the beach or in the mountains.
“I’ll finish out my term working hard for the people of North Carolina,” Tillis said in his public statement, “but I’m looking forward to the next chapter.”
Yep, Trump bullied Tillis out. It’s somewhat of a shame since Tillis is mostly a moderate, which we need in Congress. Tillis doesn’t do much, but he sure beats Roy Cooper should he decide to run.
I think the lack of funding helped ease Sen. Tillis out. And, he probably has had enough politics.
I can already hear the radio ads from all the out-of-state money flowing into the race.
Yup, NC is now a battleground state. The political ads and generally annoying B.S. will torment us for the next 17 months. Turn off the idiot box.
Just as well. I wouldn’t have voted for him or the democrat.
“It’s always something!” – Roseanne Roseannadanna
what was his previous pre-politics ‘chapter’ ?
*YAWN*
Tillis should have retired before he ran again! The NCGOP supports Nielsen for Senate, not the RINO Tillis who supports an agenda which is anathema to the majority of his constituents. Let him explain why he supports our taxes being raised and protecting the waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid/Medicare.
Good to see a conservative think for themselves and what they beleive is good for NC versus blindly following the old angry orange convicted criminal. Hate that the conservative party has become bunch of sheep being forced to march to the orders of a convict whose track record mostly involves bankrupt companies and bankrupt morals.
Well, I guess he can stop spending on all of those “Call Senator Tillis and tell him how wonderful he is” TV ads that we’ve been inundated with. I’m betting that his internal polling has shown what a weak-sister he really is, should the Dems put up a reasonably decent nominee. I was frankly surprised when he won the last election against Cal Cunningham, though the scandal that broke late in the election cycle undoubtedly made the difference. IMO, he’s been an establishment flack during both terms. I cannot say that I’m sorry to see him drop from the race.