RALEIGH, N.C. — U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican who has represented North Carolina since 2015, announced that he will not seek re-election in 2026, marking the end of a decade-long tenure characterized by conflicts with members of his own party, including President Donald Trump.
Sen. Tillis made the announcement just hours after he voted against advancing Trump’s proposed tax bill, which drew sharp criticism from President Trump. In a statement, Tillis expressed his disillusionment with the political climate in Washington, stating he wishes to prioritize family life over serving another term in the Senate.
“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 theater 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.”
Tillis’s departure is expected to spark a heated and costly battle for the seat in this politically competitive state, where Trump remains highly influential among Republican primary voters. Trump has previously suggested the possibility of supporting a challenger to Tillis, highlighting the growing rift between the two men.
Their strained relationship has been evident over the years. During a Senate hearing on Trump’s tariff policies, Tillis once directly asked administration officials, “If these tariffs don’t work, whose throat do I get to choke?” This remark underscored his skepticism of Trump’s trade war strategy and his willingness to confront the administration on key issues. The comment became a symbol of Tillis’s often uneasy alignment with the former president, reflecting both his policy concerns and the political balancing act he faced in a deeply divided party.
