Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., speaks to reporters as he leaves the Senate floor in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, N.C., will not run for re-election when his term is up, he announced Sunday, hours after he voted against advancing President Donald Trump’s tax bill and drew the president’s ire.
“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 in a statement.
“That is true since the choice is between spending another six years navigating the political theatre 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,” he said.
“It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election,” he continued.
Tillis’ announcement is likely to spur a competitive — and costly — election in the key battleground, where Trump had already said he would explore supporting a primary challenger to the two-term senator.
Tillis has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s megabill, and he voted against advancing the package in a key late Saturday vote, making him one of two Republicans to do so.
After Tillis’ “no” vote,Trump took to Truth Social to criticize the North Carolina Republican.
“Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against “Senator Thom” Tillis,” Trump wrote.
“I will be meeting with them over the coming weeks, looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina and, so importantly, the United States of America,” he continued.
Tillis’ seat, which he has held since 2014, has also been a target for Democrats in next year’s midterms eager for a pick-up opportunity.
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