US Senator Thom Tillis has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2026, following President Donald Trump’s threat to support challengers. Tillis was one of two Republican senators who voted against opening debate on the White House tax-cut bill. His decision comes after a heated exchange with Trump on social media.
Tillis’ North Carolina seat is seen as a competitive Senate race in the 2026 midterms, which will determine control of Congress. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is also up for grabs, while Democrats face an uphill battle to reclaim a Senate majority.
The decision not to run comes after Tillis expressed concerns over the proposed tax-cut bill’s impact on lower-income Americans through Medicaid. Trump had threatened to support challengers, but Tillis made no mention of the president in his statement.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/republican-us-senator-tillis-will-not-seek-re-election-2025-06-29