WASHINGTON, D.C. — North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis announced Monday that he will not seek re-election when his term expires in 2026, ending a political career that began in a trailer park and culminated with nearly a decade in the U.S. Senate.
In a lengthy statement, Tillis said the decision came down to a choice 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.”
From Humble Beginnings to Capitol Hill
The 64-year-old senator reflected on his unlikely path to Washington, describing it as “a blessing to go on a journey from living in a trailer park and making minimum wage as a young man to having the honor of serving as U.S. Senator for North Carolina.”
Tillis has served in the Senate since 2015, after previously serving as North Carolina House Speaker from 2011 to 2014. During his tenure, he played key roles in major legislative victories, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the confirmation of three conservative Supreme Court justices.
Bipartisan Legacy Despite Party Tensions
Despite his Republican affiliation, Tillis emphasized pride in his bipartisan achievements, even when they created friction within his own party. He highlighted his work on mental health legislation, infrastructure investments, and the Respect for Marriage Act as examples of cross-aisle cooperation.
“Sometimes those bipartisan initiatives got me into trouble with my own party, but I wouldn’t have changed a single one,” Tillis stated.
The senator also praised two unnamed Democratic colleagues who “courageously refused to cave to their party bosses to nuke the filibuster” before retiring, likely referring to Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema.
Criticism of Political Culture
Tillis delivered sharp criticism of the current political climate, arguing that leaders willing to embrace compromise have become “an endangered species” in Washington. He condemned what he called “the greatest form of hypocrisy in American politics” — praising independent thinking from the opposing party while scorning it from one’s own side.
“Too many elected officials are motivated by pure raw politics who really don’t give a damn about the people they promised to represent on the campaign trail,” he said.
Remaining Term and Future Plans
Tillis will continue serving North Carolina for the remainder of his term, which runs through January 2027. He said he looks forward to “solely focusing on producing meaningful results without the distraction of raising money or campaigning for another election.”
The announcement creates an open Senate seat in North Carolina, a key swing state that could be crucial in determining party control of the chamber. Tillis won re-election in 2020 by just over one percentage point, defeating Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham.
Political Impact
Tillis’s departure removes a sometimes-maverick voice from the Republican caucus and could reshape the political landscape in North Carolina. His willingness to work across the aisle on issues like immigration and marriage equality occasionally put him at odds with more conservative elements of his party.
The senator’s announcement comes as Republicans prepare to take control of the Senate in January 2025, following gains in the 2024 elections.
Tillis concluded his statement by expressing gratitude for his staff and colleagues, saying he plans to serve his remaining 18 months with “the pure freedom to call the balls and strikes as I see fit.”
