NORTH CAROLINA — The political battle for a pivotal U.S. Senate seat is officially underway in North Carolina, following Republican Senator Thom Tillis’ weekend announcement he will not seek re-election in 2026. Now, speculation is mounting regarding potential successors to his seat.
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On Sunday, Sen. Tillis posted to social media: “It has been 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 a U.S. Senator for North Carolina.”
He added he would not seek re-election in 2026, just one day after he publicly opposed and voted against a major spending and tax bill championed by President Donald Trump. Trump was displeased, calling the lack of support “a big mistake.”
Tillis opposed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” due to concerns it would result in “tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina,” specifically mentioning impacts on hospitals and rural communities. Tillis stated his analysis on the bill, which he claimed was confirmed by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Director Mehmet Oz, projected a $26-billion cut in federal support for Medicaid over the next decade for North Carolina. He warned these cuts could force the state to eliminate Medicaid coverage for “hundreds of thousands” of residents.
“What do I tell 663,000 people in two years, or three years, when President Trump breaks his promise by pushing them off of Medicaid because the funding is not there anymore?” Tillis asked in an address on the Senate floor on June 28.
After Tillis was one of two Republican Senators to vote against the bill, President Trump lashed out on social media, calling the senator “a talker and complainer NOT A DOER.”
In a statement against the bill, Tillis said there were parts he supported, including “Trump Tax Cuts,” increasing child tax credit, additional funding for border security and “ending wasteful spending.” The 900-plus-page bill is primarily focused on making Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, implementing over $1.5 trillion in federal spending reductions over the next decade, and increasing funding for border security and defense.
Opponents, including lawmakers like House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Bernie Sanders contend the tax cuts, despite proposed spending reductions, would dramatically increase the national debt and primarily benefit the wealthy at the expense of middle and lower-income families.
As of Monday, June 30, the Senate has advanced the bill past a key procedural vote (51-49) and is currently in a “vote-a-rama” session, where senators can offer an unlimited number of amendments, voting on them in rapid succession. After this, a final vote on the overall bill is expected. If it passes the Senate, it will then need to return to the House for approval of any changes before it can be sent to the president’s desk by the July 4 deadline.
In his retirement statement, Tillis cited a lack of excitement for another term and a desire to spend more time with his family, contrasting it with the “political theatre and partisan gridlock in Washington.” He informed Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune of his decision to resign on June 28.
After Tillis’ announcement, Trump called it “great news.”
“Thanks for the retirement wishes, Mr. President, looking forward to working with you for a successful 2026. Word to the wise, let’s avoid minisoldr,” Tillis posted in response, referring to former N.C. Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson.
“Minisoldr” has been alleged the controversial screen name associated with Robinson. As first reported by CNN, Robinson made racist and homophobic comments on a porn site under the name, which derailed his campaign for governor last year. Robinson sued the national news outlet, but eventually dropped it in January citing the futility of pursuing costly litigation and the emotional toll of the lawsuit on his family. Robinson said he will not seek political office in the future.
Up until the incident, Trump backed Robinson in his run for governor, though the candidate lost by 14 percentage points to current NC Gov. Josh Stein last year.
On Saturday, June 28, Trump said he will be meeting with potential candidates for Tillis’ seat in coming weeks but did not say who.
Tillis’ political career began as a town commissioner for Cornelius, North Carolina, where he served from 2003 to 2005. He then moved to the state level, serving as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for the 98th district from 2007 to 2015. During this period, Tillis rose to become the Speaker of the House from 2011 to 2015.
In 2014, he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan, and assumed office on January 3, 2015. He was re-elected to his second term in the Senate in 2020, with his current six-year term set to conclude on January 3, 2027.
Potential candidates to replace Tillis
With Tillis’ retirement, the battle for the North Carolina seat is poised to heat up on both sides of the aisle and could play an important role in the midterm elections. Given North Carolina’s status as a swing state, the newly open U.S. Senate seat presents a critical opportunity for both parties, making its outcome a key factor in determining control of the closely divided Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.
Republicans have held this particular seat since 2015, with the last Democrat to hold it before Tillis took office 11 years ago. With multiple names thrown in the hat, here is a look at a few notable candidates.
Republicans
Lara Trump, a Wrightsville Beach native, is reportedly interested in running for the seat according to NBC News White House correspondent Vaughn Hillyard, who cited a source close to the Trump family. Lara Trump attended Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington before graduating from North Carolina State University. Lara Trump has been a prominent figure in North Carolina politics, spearheading the “Trump-Pence Women’s Empowerment Tour” in 2016 and serving as a key consultant for the 2020 and 2024 campaigns, frequently attending rallies and events across the state. She also served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee in 2024, focusing on fundraising and getting Republicans elected. She is currently the host of “The Right View,” a political commentary show on Fox News and would have to leave the role in order to run for office.
Don Brown declared his intention to run for the Senate seat on June 8. Brown ran in the Republican primary for North Carolina’s 8th congressional district in 2024 but was not successful. Brown is also known for his background as a former U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General Officer, an attorney, and an author, having published numerous books on the U.S. military. Endorsed by former Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, Brown has publicly stated his campaign goals include restoring constitutional government, sealing the border, and reining in the national debt.
Andy Nilsson declared his intention to run after filing for candidacy in February. While he has not held elected federal office previously, Nilsson is a retired businessman who ran plant and factory operations for concrete, plastics, and metal fabrication globally. His political background includes a past candidacy for North Carolina lieutenant governor in 2000 and a 2024 effort to secure a position within the Republican National Committee, where he garnered significant support but ultimately lost. Nilsson positions himself as “unapologetically MAGA” and aims to “drain the swamp of career politicians,” including incumbent Tillis.
Brooks Agnew filed paperwork for the race in January. Agnew formerly ran for lieutenant governor in 2000, losing the Republican primary to Betsy Cochrane. His career outside politics is primarily in science and engineering. He holds degrees in chemistry and physics, and has over 25 years of experience as a commercial scientist and engineer. He is also a best-selling author, hosts his own scientific radio show “X Squared Radio,” and is the CEO of Vision Motor Cars, an electric vehicle manufacturer.
Democrats
So far, the only Democrat to officially enter the race is former U.S. representative Wiley Nickel. He filed candidacy paperwork on April 9. Nickel is an attorney and Democratic politician who has served in both the North Carolina State Senate and the U.S. House. He represented the 16th district in the North Carolina Senate from 2019 to 2023, and then served as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina’s 13th congressional district from 2023 to 2025. Regarding his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, Nickel called for “a new generation of leadership with a fresh vision and the courage to fight for what’s right.”
Although he has not declared an intention to run for the seat, leading Democrats like former DSCC Chair Gary Peters said former Governor Roy Cooper would be a front-runner if he decides to enter the race. Cooper said in his gubernatorial farewell address in December 2024 he was “considering” a run, but he would take several months after leaving office to spend time with family and think about how he could best make a difference, before making a decision. Cooper served the maximum two terms as governor from 2017 to 2025.
Last year, he was also shortlisted as a potential vice presidential candidate to Kamala Harris’ ticket; however, Cooper withdrew his name from consideration due to concerns lieutenant Gov. Robinson would attempt to usurp Cooper’s authority if he took to the campaign trail. He also thought it would distract from Harris’ presidential campaign.
Since leaving the governor’s office in January, Cooper has served as a Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In this eight-week teaching fellowship, which began in the spring semester of 2025, Cooper is teaching a course titled “Health Policy and Leadership,” focusing on how health professionals can navigate government and politics.
The deadline for candidates to file for the U.S. Senate seat for the 2026 primary election is noon on Friday, December 19, 2025.
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