North Carolina Senate Seat Opens as Tillis Retires After Trump Clash Over Spending Bill

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced on Sunday that he will not seek re-election in 2026, a decision that comes just hours after former President Donald Trump publicly threatened to back a primary challenger against him. The North Carolina Republican's announcement follows a significant clash with Trump over his vote against advancing a sweeping domestic policy bill championed by the former president. This development transforms the 2026 North Carolina Senate race into an open contest, setting the stage for a potentially competitive election.

The friction between Tillis and Trump intensified after Tillis voted against a procedural motion for Trump's "big, beautiful bill," a comprehensive package of tax and spending cuts. Tillis stated he "cannot support this bill in its current form," citing concerns that it "would result in tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina, including our hospitals and rural communities." He emphasized that the legislation could force the state to make "painful decisions like eliminating Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands."

Following Tillis's vote, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his displeasure. The former president accused Tillis of making a "BIG MISTAKE for America, and the Wonderful People of North Carolina!" He further announced his intent to actively seek out and meet with potential candidates to challenge Tillis in a Republican primary, stating, "Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against 'Senator Thom' Tillis."

Tillis's retirement is seen as a significant win for Trump's influence within the Republican Party, demonstrating his willingness to target and effectively remove those who defy his agenda. This mirrors previous instances where Trump has backed primary challenges against other Republican lawmakers who have opposed him, such as former Representative Liz Cheney. The North Carolina Senate seat is now expected to be a key battleground, with Democrats potentially eyeing former Governor Roy Cooper, and Republicans considering figures like Lara Trump.

In his statement, Tillis reflected on the current political climate, noting, "In Washington over the last few years, it’s become increasingly evident that leaders who are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise, and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species." His departure underscores the growing pressure on Republican lawmakers to align with the former president's policy positions and political directives.