GOP Moderate Senator Announces Retirement After Rejecting Trump’s BBB

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) declared on Sunday that he will not pursue re-election in 2026, shortly after President Trump disclosed intentions to engage with potential primary challengers in the near future.

Tillis, regarded as one of the most at-risk incumbents in the forthcoming midterm elections, faced significant backlash from Trump on Saturday for opposing the administration-supported “Big Beautiful Bill.” He, alongside Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), was one of only two Republicans to dissent against the president’s key legislative initiative.

“Thom Tillis has harmed the wonderful people of North Carolina. Even during the disastrous flooding, no assistance was provided until I assumed office. Then a MIRACLE occurred!” Trump stated in a subsequent post on Sunday morning. “Tillis is merely a talker and a complainer, NOT A DOER! He is even worse than Rand ‘Fauci’ Paul!”

Just hours following a harsh post—Trump’s third aimed at the vulnerable incumbent since his dissent against the Big Beautiful Bill—Senator Tillis revealed his decision not to seek re-election.

“As many of my colleagues have observed over the past year, and at times even joked about, I have not been particularly enthusiastic about running for another term,” Tillis remarked. “This is accurate, as the choice lies between spending another six years maneuvering through the political theater and partisan deadlock in Washington or dedicating that time to the love of my life, Susan, our two children, three lovely grandchildren, and the rest of our extended family back home. It is not a difficult decision, and I will not be pursuing re-election.”

Tillis’ retirement has been predominantly embraced by Trump supporters, as the senator frequently diverged from the party line on matters that were unpopular among the Republican base. In 2022, he was among 15 Republican senators who endorsed President Biden’s extensive gun control legislation, and he also supported a measure to enshrine same-sex marriage into federal law.

Tillis has also endorsed President Biden’s extensive infrastructure initiative and voted in favor of confirming several of the president’s appointees, including Attorney General Merrick Garland. Nevertheless, he recently opposed the confirmation of then-interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin, expressing concerns regarding Martin’s support for the political prisoners from January 6.

Former North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Andy Nilsson has already declared his intention to challenge Tillis, presenting himself as a staunch supporter of President Trump and labeling himself as “unapologetically MAGA,” despite having previously raised concerns about the party’s trajectory in recent years.

Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of the president and former co-chair of the RNC, has also been frequently cited as a possible candidate. A poll conducted by Victory Insights late last year indicated that she was leading Tillis comfortably in a hypothetical contest, although she has not publicly announced any intentions to run.