Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced on Sunday he will not seek reelection next year, a surprise decision that came just hours after President Donald Trump threatened to back a primary challenge over Tillis’s opposition to his tax and spending cut agenda.
In a lengthy statement, the second-term senator revealed he’d long been weighing retirement from a battleground seat Democrats will heavily target in the 2026 midterm elections.
“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 said. “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 added, “It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election.”
Notably, Tillis’s announcement came a day after he was one of just two Republican senators to vote against advancing Trump’s domestic policy agenda, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, over its Medicaid reforms. His rebellion sparked fierce backlash from Trump, who vowed in a series of social media posts to meet with possible primary challengers in the coming weeks.
“Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against ‘Senator Thom’ Tillis,” Trump posted to Truth Social. “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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Tillis told the Washington Examiner prior to the criticism that he spoke Friday night with Trump to inform the president that he would oppose the legislation, describing the call as “very professional, very respectful.”
“I’ve never had a bad discussion with this president, in spite of the fact that he and I have disagreed,” Tillis said.
While Trump’s ire and backlash from the GOP base appeared to prove decisive for Tillis’s decision, the episode marked only the latest clash between the senator and the president in recent months.
Tillis ultimately voted to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth but only after wavering on the controversial Cabinet nominee, who drew opposition from three Senate Republicans and required Vice President JD Vance to cast a tiebreaking vote.
Tillis’s retirement sparked immediate political posturing over what will be one of the most competitive Senate races of the 2026 cycle.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), chairman of the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, did not mention Tillis in a statement reacting to the news but expressed confidence the party would retain the seat.
“President Trump has won North Carolina three times, and the state’s been represented by two Republican Senators for over a decade,” Scott said. “That streak will continue in 2026 when North Carolinians elect a conservative leader committed to advancing an agenda of opportunity, prosperity, and security.”
The campaign arm for Senate Democrats called Tillis’s decision not to seek reelection “another blow to Republicans’ chances as they face a midterm backlash that puts their majority at risk.”
“Even Tillis admits the GOP plan to slash Medicaid and spike costs for families is toxic — and in 2026, Democrats will flip North Carolina’s Senate seat,” said Maeve Coyle, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokeswoman.
Tillis acknowledged that several bipartisan initiatives he helped shepherd through the Senate “got me into trouble with my own party.” But he added, “I wouldn’t have changed a single one.”
He went on to criticize what he described as an increasingly partisan and hypocritical Washington.
“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,” Tillis said.
SENATE ADVANCES TRUMP TAX BILL AFTER LAST-MINUTE NEGOTIATIONS WITH HOLDOUTS
“It underscores the greatest form of hypocrisy in American politics,” he continued. “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.”
David Sivak contributed to this report.
