Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, has announced he will not seek re-election next year. The decision comes after President Trump threatened to back a primary challenger against him due to his opposition to the domestic agenda bill. Tillis said he is looking forward to having the freedom to represent North Carolina without being beholden to Trump’s demands.
Tillis’s departure sets off a competitive race in North Carolina, with potential candidates including Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper and several other Democrats who have announced their candidacies for the Senate seat. The announcement underscores the rightward shift of the GOP and the reality that there is little room for any Republican to break with Trump.
In his statement, Tillis blamed the lack of middle ground in Congress on both parties, pointing to recent departures of conservative lawmakers. He expressed frustration with the partisan gridlock and said his job was too much about navigating politics. Tillis played a key role in bipartisan legislation, including a bill to stop dangerous people from accessing firearms.
President Trump’s allies see Tillis’s announcement as proof of the president’s strength, while Democrats view it as another blow to their chances in the upcoming Senate elections.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/us/politics/thom-tillis-retirement.html