Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced on Sunday, June 29, 2025, that he would not seek reelection in 2026, marking the end of his political career. This announcement followed just a day after he voted against President Donald Trump’s major domestic policy package, which led to sharp criticism from the president on social media.
The unexpected decision to retire was announced after Tillis became one of only two Republicans to oppose the advancement of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” during a key Senate vote on Saturday night. The extensive legislation proposed tax cuts, funding for border security, and considerable Medicaid modifications, which Tillis argued would be detrimental to his constituents.
Following the vote, Trump criticized Tillis on Truth Social, calling the senator’s decision a “BIG MISTAKE for America” and indicating he would explore potential primary challengers. The president mentioned that many individuals had expressed interest in running against Tillis, and he planned to meet with them “over the coming weeks, looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina.”
Tillis informed reporters on Sunday that he had notified both Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune of his retirement decision via text message on Saturday night, prior to Trump’s public remarks. Tillis believed there was an understanding, but events unfolded differently.
In his retirement statement, Tillis explained that his choice was driven by a desire to spend more time with his family rather than continuing in Washington politics. He noted that colleagues had observed his diminishing enthusiasm for another campaign over the past year. Tillis stated, “It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election.”
Tillis opposed the Republican bill due to concerns about the significant Medicaid cuts affecting North Carolina. In his official remarks on the reconciliation vote, Tillis emphasized that the bill would cost North Carolina tens of billions of dollars in funding, impacting hospitals and rural areas. He warned it could lead to the loss of Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands in the expansion population and reduce essential services for traditional Medicaid beneficiaries.
During the Senate floor debate on Sunday, Tillis criticized the Republican legislation, arguing it contradicted Trump’s earlier promises. He mentioned that the president had previously supported targeting waste, fraud, and abuse in entitlement programs, rather than implementing broad cuts affecting eligible recipients.
Tillis questioned how he would explain to 663,000 North Carolinians in the coming years if they lost Medicaid coverage due to funding issues. He advocated for returning to the House approach on Medicaid, which he described as including commonsense reforms to address waste, fraud, and abuse while implementing work requirements for able-bodied adults.
In his retirement statement, Tillis criticized the increasing partisanship in Washington, noting that leaders who embrace bipartisanship and independent thinking are becoming rare. He compared his circumstances to former Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, who faced party criticism for refusing to eliminate the filibuster and eventually retired from the Senate.
Tillis commented on the double standard in American politics, where independent thinking is praised when observed in the opposing party but criticized within one’s own party. He expressed frustration with politicians motivated by political agendas rather than representing their constituents’ interests.
The retirement opens a significant political opportunity for both parties in this battleground state. Republicans are now searching for a new candidate, with sources indicating that Lara Trump, the former Republican National Committee co-chair and the president’s daughter-in-law, is seriously considering a run. Other potential Republican candidates include Representative Richard Hudson and Representative Pat Harrigan.
Democrats see the open seat as a chance to regain Senate control. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee described Tillis’ retirement as a setback for Republican prospects, noting that even Tillis acknowledged the GOP’s Medicaid cut plan was politically risky. Party officials expressed optimism about recruiting former Governor Roy Cooper to enter the race.
Tillis, who has served in the Senate since 2015 after previously being the North Carolina House Speaker, developed a reputation as one of the few Republicans willing to oppose Trump’s policies. Earlier this year, he successfully blocked the nomination of Ed Martin as US attorney for Washington, DC, due to Martin’s previous criticism of January 6 Capitol riot responders.
The senator mentioned he looked forward to having the freedom to evaluate issues independently during his remaining 18 months in office, suggesting he may continue to challenge his party’s positions when they do not align with his constituents’ interests.
