Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, following a sharp clash with President Donald Trump over a sweeping budget bill. Tillis, 64, cited a toxic political climate and diminishing space for independent thinking in Washington as key reasons for his decision.
The announcement came just a day after Tillis opposed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a cornerstone of Trump’s agenda that includes significant spending cuts and tax reforms. In particular, Tillis criticized the bill’s deep cuts to Medicaid, a healthcare program relied upon by millions of Americans, including many in his home state.
“I did my homework on behalf of North Carolinians, and I cannot support this bill in its current form,” Tillis said. “It would result in tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina.”
Tillis was one of only two Republican senators to vote against advancing the bill on Saturday, drawing Trump’s ire. The former president labeled him “a talker and complainer” and signaled his intent to back a primary challenger for the North Carolina Senate seat. Among the rumored potential contenders is Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, a North Carolina native.
Despite the backlash, Tillis defended his record, noting his commitment to bipartisan legislation throughout his tenure. “Sometimes those bipartisan initiatives got me in trouble with my own party, but I wouldn’t have changed a single one,” he stated. He also lamented the growing trend in Washington where “too many elected officials are motivated by pure raw politics.”
The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the proposed Medicaid changes could result in nearly 12 million Americans losing coverage, a key factor in Tillis’ opposition. Supporters of the bill argue the reforms will reduce fraud and sustain the program financially.
As the Senate prepares for a final vote on the controversial bill, Tillis’ departure signals widening rifts within the Republican Party, especially over Trump’s influence and the direction of the GOP ahead of the 2026 elections.
