Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced Sunday, June 29, he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending his Senate career after clashing with President Donald Trump over the administration’s sweeping domestic policy package known as the “big, beautiful bill.”
The announcement came one day after Tillis voted against advancing Trump’s massive legislative agenda on Saturday night, making him one of only two Republicans to oppose the procedural vote. Trump responded by threatening to back primary challengers against the North Carolina senator and declaring on Truth Social that Tillis was making a “BIG MISTAKE for America.”
Tillis delivered a fiery floor speech on Sunday night, hours after announcing his retirement decision, denouncing the Senate version of Trump’s bill. The senator avoided direct criticism of the President while attacking what he called “amateurs” advising Trump who lacked understanding of healthcare policy impacts.
The Guardian reported that Tillis warned the legislation would betray Trump’s campaign promises, particularly regarding Medicaid cuts. His office published an analysis concluding the Senate budget would have a $32 billion impact on North Carolina’s healthcare system and threaten insurance coverage for 663,000 Medicaid expansion beneficiaries in the state.
In his retirement statement, Tillis indicated his decision reflected a desire to spend time with family rather than navigate Washington’s political climate. He expressed that the choice between serving another six-year term and spending time with his wife Susan, their two children, and three grandchildren was not difficult.
The 64-year-old senator told reporters Sunday that he had informed Trump on Saturday night about his retirement decision via text message. Tillis stated he told the President “he probably needed to start looking for a replacement anyway, before he posted that.”
Tillis compared his situation to former Democratic Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, both of whom became independents before leaving office. He criticized what he described as the greatest form of hypocrisy in American politics, where independent thinking is celebrated when seen on the opposing side but scorned when displayed within one’s own party.
The senator’s opposition to Trump’s legislation centered on concerns about Medicaid cuts and their impact on his constituents. During Sunday’s floor debate, Tillis argued that the healthcare cuts in the funding package amounted to a betrayal of the American people, particularly after Trump had urged lawmakers to target only waste, fraud, and abuse in entitlement programs.
Trump celebrated Tillis’ retirement announcement on social media Sunday, calling it “Great News!” The President had previously indicated he would meet with potential primary challengers to Tillis over the coming weeks, seeking someone to properly represent North Carolina and the United States.
Tillis’ departure opens a competitive battleground Senate seat that both parties view as crucial for the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans need to maintain their narrow 53-47 majority in the chamber, while Democrats see the open seat as a prime pickup opportunity.
Several prominent figures are already being mentioned as potential candidates. Lara Trump, the President’s daughter-in-law and former Republican National Committee co-chair, told Fox News Radio on Monday that she would certainly consider running in her native North Carolina. Trump expressed enthusiasm for her potential candidacy, stating she would always be his first choice.
Other potential Republican contenders include Representative Pat Harrigan, who indicated he would endorse Lara Trump if she entered the race, and RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, who previously chaired the North Carolina GOP. Representatives Greg Murphy and Addison McDowell are also being considered as possible candidates.
On the Democratic side, former Representative Wiley Nickel has already announced his candidacy for the seat. However, the party’s preferred candidate appears to be former Governor Roy Cooper, who served two terms and maintained strong approval ratings. A spokesperson for Cooper indicated he is strongly considering a run and will announce his decision in the coming weeks.
Cooper would be considered a formidable candidate, having won the governorship in 2016 and 2020 when Trump also carried the state. Democratic officials believe Cooper would give the party its best chance of flipping the seat, which has been held by Republicans since Tillis defeated Democrat Kay Hagan in 2014.
Tillis first entered the Senate in 2015 after serving in the state legislature, including as speaker of the House. He narrowly maintained his Senate seat in the 2020 election by less than two percentage points. Throughout his tenure, Tillis built a reputation as a GOP swing vote and one of the few Republicans willing to voice opposition to Trump’s policies, dating back to both of their first terms.
Earlier this year, Tillis opposed the confirmation of Ed Martin, Trump’s choice to serve as US attorney for Washington, DC, because of Martin’s previous criticism of officers who responded to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Martin’s nomination was eventually withdrawn by Trump.
The North Carolina Senate race is expected to be one of the most expensive and closely watched contests of the 2026 midterm cycle, with both parties recognizing its importance for control of the chamber. Democrats view the open seat as a crucial component of their strategy to regain Senate control, while Republicans are determined to maintain their narrow majority.
