By Jasmine Li
WASHINGTON--Centrist Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) said he won't seek re-election in 2026, less than 24 hours after he voted against a motion to advance President Trump's tax-and-spending megabill, drawing public backlash from the president.
"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, 64 years old, said in a statement. He said his choice was between "spending another six years navigating the political theatre and partisan gridlock in Washington" or spending that time with his family.
"It's not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election," he said.
Tillis, who is currently in his second term, would likely have faced a tough fight winning his race. He would likely have to fend off a challenger in his party primary, and then have to slug it out with a competitive Democrat in the general election. North Carolina is seen as one of only a handful of seats up for grabs nationwide in 2026 as Republicans work to keep their 53-47 majority.
Tillis was one of only two Republicans to vote late Saturday to oppose a procedural vote on the "big, beautiful bill." He has raised concerns over cuts to Medicaid, as well as the wind-down of clean energy credits that he says are crucial to jobs in his state. Senate GOP leaders are aiming to pass the bill in coming days and send it to Trump's desk by July 4.
Tillis's "no" vote set off a string of Truth Social posts from the president. "Thom Tillis is making a BIG MISTAKE for America, and the Wonderful People of North Carolina!" Trump posted Saturday night, adding that he would meet with potential primary challengers. Trump posted Sunday morning: "North Carolina will not allow one of their Senators to GRANDSTAND in order to get some publicity for himself, for a possible, but very difficult Re-Election."
Write to Jasmine Li at jasmine.li@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 29, 2025 13:57 ET (17:57 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.