WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said Sunday he will not seek reelection in 2026.
He cited many factors, including a lack of bipartisanship in Washington, as reasons for his decision.
"It's not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election," Tillis wrote in a statement.
This comes a day after he announced his opposition to President Donald Trump's sweeping "Big, Beautiful" bill. He specifically took issue with the bill's proposed reductions to health care programs.
Politics
FULL STATEMENT: NC Sen. Thom Tillis won't seek re-election
Tillis said it "has been a blessing" to serve as senator for North Carolina. He reflected on key moments in his political career while lamenting the current state of American politics.
“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,” Tillis said. “Sometimes those bipartisan initiatives got me into trouble with my own party, but I wouldn’t have changed a single one.”
