GOP Sen. Thom Tillis says he’s hanging up his political spurs, noting just how hard it is these days to do any across-the-aisle dealmaking in the Trump era.
A North Carolina Republican known for occasional breaks with his party, Tillis announced he will not seek reelection in 2026 in a lengthy statement that made clear he was done dealing with Trump’s threats to primary him and any other lawmaker that doesn’t express complete fealty to the commander-in-chief.
“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,” read the senator’s remarks, an apparent jab at Trump and those who acquiesce to his boorish bullying.
Tillis also took a swipe at his fellow elected officials for too often putting their political careers ahead of the interests of their constituents. Trump has made clear he’s willing to primary any Republican that doesn’t adhere to the strict letter of MAGA doctrine.
“Too many elected officials are motivated by pure raw politics who don’t give a damn about the people they promised to represent on the campaign trail. After they get elected, they don’t bother to do the hard work to research the policies they seek to implement and understand the consequences those policies could have on that young adult living in a trailer park, struggling to make ends meet.”
He emphasized his desire to spend his remaining time in the Senate representing his state with “the pure freedom to call the balls and strikes as I see fit.”
I’m outta here!
Tillis’ decision comes just one day after Trump publicly threatened to support a primary challenger in response to Tillis opposing a sweeping domestic policy bill tied to Trump’s agenda.
The Tarheel senator’s retirement announcement sets the stage for a high-stakes Senate race in a swing state that could determine control of the chamber.
Among those expected to vie for his seat is former North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
Former Democratic Rep. Wiley Nickel and former GOP lieutenant governor candidate Andy Nilsson have already launched campaigns.
Meanwhile, Lara Trump, the former president’s daughter-in-law and a native of North Carolina, has also been floated as a possible contender.
Tillis’s decision followed his vocal opposition to a Trump-backed bill that he said would strip billions in Medicaid funding from North Carolina.
In a fiery floor speech over the weekend, he accused Trump of breaking promises and sacrificing healthcare access for political gain.
“What do I tell 663,000 people in a few years when they lose coverage?” he said. “This bill will betray the very promise that Donald J. Trump made in the Oval Office.”
Long time coming
The senator’s relationship with Trump has long been uneasy. Earlier this year, Tillis hesitated to support Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, drawing Trump’s ire. Though he later backed the nominee, the damage lingered.
Democrats celebrated the announcement. “It’s another blow to Republicans’ chances,” said Maeve Coyle of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Tillis joins a growing list of moderates exiting Congress, including GOP senators who backed bipartisan gun legislation in 2022.
“When independent thinking comes from your side, you get censured,” he noted, lamenting the erosion of political middle ground.
As the 2026 Senate map looms large, Tillis’s departure may become a defining moment in the battle for control of Congress—and the soul of the Republican Party.
