WNC politicians, experts react to Tillis' announcement that he won't run for reelection
'It takes what was already going to be arguably the most watched U.S. Senate race in the country and removes the word 'arguably,'" said Chris Cooper, a professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University.
Tillis' announcement came the day after he voted against advancing President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill," Republicans' massive domestic policy bill. Tillis, 64, said June 28 that he could not support the bill because of its expected impacts on Medicaid and rural hospitals.
He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and is serving his second term after being reelected in 2020. Before serving in the U.S. Senate, he was speaker of the N.C. State House in the N.C. General Assembly.
The Republican's seat in battleground North Carolina was already a top target for Senate Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections. He faced a competitive fight to keep the seat as Democrats pushed to reclaim control of the chamber.
'The Democrats have to win North Carolina if they want to have any chance to take back the Senate. And I think they are going to see this as their opportunity," Cooper said. "One of the questions, of course, is: Who is their candidate going to be?'
More: Thom Tillis, key Republican holdout on Trump's tax bill, won't seek reelection
For many North Carolina Democrats, former Gov. Roy Cooper is at the top of that list, Chris Cooper said.
'From my understanding, (Roy) Cooper has never lost an election, and I don't think he would lose this senate race either,' said Kristen Robinson, chair of the Buncombe County Democratic Party.
'I just think he's one of the best people we could put up to show what North Carolina has to offer."
If not him, "I think it's really anybody's guess what happens," Chris Cooper said.
Former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel, a Democrat, officially declared his campaign for U.S. Senate in April. After Tillis' announcement, Nickel posted on social media that "No matter which MAGA loyalist Trump picks, I'm the only Democrat in this race and I'm ready to win."
Tillis was one of only two U.S. Senate Republicans, along with Rand Paul of Kentucky, to vote against debating the bill as written. Following that vote, Trump took to social media, threatening to back potential primary challengers.
Robinson said she expects a lot of "jockeying" for the position from Republicans in the next weeks.
Among the names on people's lists is Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, who is considering a potential Senate bid in North Carolina, according to reporting from The Hill. Also included on those lists is Michael Whatley, formerly with N.C. GOP, now chair of the RNC, and Rep. Pat Harrigan, a freshman member of Congress, Cooper said.
Andy Nilsson, a retired businessman, and Don Brown, a former U.S. Navy JAG Officer, attorney and author, are among those who have already announced their intention to run in the primary.
The Buncombe County Republican Party did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.
"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," Tillis said in his June 29 statement.
"After they get elected, they don't bother to do the hard work to research the policies they seek to implement and understand the consequences those policies could have on that young adult living in a trailer park, struggling to make ends meet."
Cooper, of WCU, said the end of Tillis' statement indicated he may take even more stances that are counter to Trump in the next 18 months.
'If you live in Western North Carolina ... then that's going to affect our lives in some pretty significant ways," he said.
Tropical Storm Helene recovery is top of mind for many in WNC. While Tillis may have lost capital in terms of passing legislation, his power now will be more about stopping what he perceives as bad, Cooper said.
'I hope Tillis, now that he's not bound to following exactly what Trump does because he's not running for reelection, that he does step up to the plate and get things for Western North Carolina that we need," said Robinson, with the local Democratic Party.
He's got a year and a half to do it, she said. 'So I wish him luck.'
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, Republican: 'Senator Thom Tillis has shown strong conviction as an advocate for the people of North Carolina. I have always respected his dedication to making life better for North Carolinians and his willingness to engage in thoughtful policy discussions, even on issues where I may not have agreed with him. His decision to not seek reelection marks the end of a significant chapter in North Carolina and our nation's history, and I thank him for his years of service and commitment to our state. His next chapter focusing on time with his family is well-deserved, and I wish him and his loved ones all the best in this next season.' (June 29, news release).
Gov. Josh Stein, Democrat: "I've known and worked with Thom since our days in the state legislature and thank him for his years of service to North Carolina there and in the U.S. Senate. Anna and I wish him and Susan the best and much joy with their grandchildren." (June 29, social media post).
Attorney General Jeff Jackson, Democrat: "I respect Senator Tillis's decision to end his career in the Senate when he felt the time was right. I also appreciate that he was willing to vote against last night's budget bill - even though it ran against his political interests - because it would cause serious and lasting harm to North Carolina's families and economy. I saw that he spoke about having the pure freedom to call balls and strikes over the next 18 months, and I genuinely look forward to that. It's the approach that will serve North Carolina best and I'm glad to see that's how he sees his mission with his remaining time in the Senate." (June 29, social media post).
N.C. Republican Party Chair, Jason Simmons: "Sen. Tillis has announced his decision to not seek re-election and we wish him well in his retirement from public service. As we move forward into the midterms, we will hold this seat for Republicans in 2026 and continue to deliver on President Trump's America First priorities." (June 29, social media post).
N.C. Democratic Party Chair, Anderson Clayton: "Thom Tillis spent years putting DC Republicans and corporate donors ahead of the people of North Carolina, and voters noticed. Today, Thom Tillis finally faced reality: this made him wildly unpopular. No matter who the NCGOP chooses as a rubber stamp to green light their extreme cuts to funding for public schools, slashes to Social Security and Medicare, and attacks against reproductive freedom, we'll be ready to fight back." (June 29, news release).
More: Who is Lara Trump? She's 'thinking' about a campaign for Thom Tillis Senate seat
More: Davis officially enters NC-11 race; 4 Dems eyeing Edwards' seat
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Thom Tillis says he will not seek reelection. Impact to Western NC?
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