Republican Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina announced on Sunday that he will not seek another term in the U.S. Senate. His decision came just one day after he voted against former President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill, which proposed cuts to healthcare programs.
Tillis’s retirement now opens up a key Senate seat in North Carolina—a battleground state. This gives Democrats a fresh opportunity to flip the seat in the 2026 midterm elections. His move also shows a rare split within the Republican Party, where most members still support Trump’s policies without question.
Trump Responds with Cheers, Not Support
Soon after the announcement, Trump posted on social media, calling Tillis’s decision “Great News!” The former president had previously warned that he might support a primary challenger against Tillis. He had also criticized Tillis for his vote against advancing the large Republican tax package on Saturday night. According to Trump, Tillis was only “seeking publicity” and had failed to help flood-hit areas in western North Carolina. He wrote, “Tillis is a talker and complainer, NOT A DOER.”
Tillis Criticizes Party Divisions
In his statement, Tillis explained that politics in Washington has changed. He said, “In Washington, it’s become clear that leaders who support bipartisanship and independent thinking are becoming rare.” He added that he was proud of his service but recognized that it’s now harder for lawmakers who don’t always follow their party’s agenda.
Tillis also said, “I look forward to having the freedom to speak my mind and serve the people of North Carolina as best I can.”
Why Tillis Chose to Retire
Although many Republican leaders were surprised by the timing, they weren’t shocked by the decision itself. According to someone close to Tillis, he had planned to announce his future later in the year but had already been thinking about retiring.
Before making up his mind, Tillis considered two questions—whether Trump and the White House would let him run independently, and whether GOP Senate leaders would back him. The answer to both was no. Trump’s call for a challenger and the party’s push to cut Medicaid, which Tillis said would “hurt North Carolina,” pushed him toward retirement. He chose to step down rather than face pressure to change his stance on the tax bill.
Reactions from Both Parties
Jason Simmons, Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, wished Tillis well and said the party would fight hard to keep the seat in 2026.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who leads the Republican campaign committee, didn’t name Tillis but said the GOP would continue to win in North Carolina. He reminded supporters that Trump had already won the state three times.
On the other hand, Democrats quickly saw a chance. Former Republican-turned-Democrat Wiley Nickel, who announced his candidacy in April, said, “I’ve flipped a tough seat before, and we’re going to do it again.”
Lauren French, spokesperson for the Senate Majority PAC, said Tillis’s exit shows how Trump has reshaped the Republican Party. According to her, “This proves there’s no space in the Republican Party for anyone who opposes taking health care away from 11.8 million people.”
Tillis’s Political Journey
Thom Tillis started his political career in North Carolina’s state legislature. He had been an IBM consultant but left that job to help Republicans take over the state legislature in 2010—something they hadn’t done in 140 years.
He later became Speaker of the North Carolina House, where he helped pass several conservative laws. These included changes to tax policy, gun rights, regulations, and abortion laws. He also supported a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in 2012, although courts later struck it down.
In 2014, Tillis narrowly beat Democrat Kay Hagan to win a seat in the U.S. Senate. Since then, he focused on mental health, Medicaid expansion, substance abuse treatment, and veterans’ issues. Over time, he became known as a more moderate Republican, often working across party lines on key policies.