Latest news with #WileyNickel
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ep. 007: Wiley Nickel
(WGHP) — He's not the one everyone seems to be waiting for, but he says he's the man they should be. Wiley Nickel is not a firebrand. He's not a famous name, but he did serve in both the North Carolina State Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, and he believes he's the best one to take on two-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis. He lays out his case for the Democratic nomination and why voters should listen less to the voices of the progressive left that seem to be dominating the Democratic Party these days. Hosted by , is a weekly look at what's going on in the world of politics and how it all affects you. Watch the full episode in the video player above. You can also watch Swing State on or stream it on the on Roku, AppleTV and Fire TV. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nickel raises $2.4M in 2026 U.S. Senate bid to unseat Tillis
Ahead of his formal announcement for Senate, former Rep. Wiley Nickel spoke at a packed 'empty chair' town hall for Sen. Thom Tillis in March. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline) Democratic former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel has raised $2.4 million this year in his quest to oust Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis in the 2026 election. Last week marked the Federal Election Commission's most recent quarterly filing deadline for the period between Jan. 1 and March 31 — the first complete period following the 2024 election in November. Nickel's haul was a notable increase over last quarter, when he raised less than $3,000. After spending nearly $2 million this year, he has about $520,000 left on hand. Nickel, who declined to run for a second U.S. House term due to gerrymandering heavily favoring a GOP victory in his district, formally launched his campaign against Tillis earlier this month. He's the first Democrat to officially declare his candidacy for the seat. The numbers are still dwarfed by Tillis, who has the incumbent's advantage a year and a half out from the election. He reported raising more than $5.6 million during the filing period and spending nearly $2.5 million, leaving him with just over $4 million in the bank. North Carolina's 2026 Senate race is anticipated to be one of the nation's most competitive and expensive. As he seeks his third term, Tillis is the only Republican senator up for reelection in a 2024 swing state. It's a must-win for Democrats, who would need to retain all of their incumbents and win four additional seats to become the majority party. As a more moderate member of his party, Tillis has come under fire for breaking from MAGA guidelines. As such, he risks a primary challenger from a Trump-endorsed candidate. He's possibly found one in Don Brown, a lawyer from Charlotte who has provided aid to clients participating in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and who embraces a an aggressively pro-MAGA agenda, according to his campaign website. Brown raised $21,600 in the first quarter. That's not an insignificant amount for a largely unknown first-time candidate whose team filed paperwork to enter the race in February — halfway through the filing period. These contributions came from 18 individuals who donated between $250 and $3,500 each. Having spent just under $2,000 during the period, Brown has about $20,500 remaining on hand. Andy Nilsson, a retired businessman and former candidate for lieutenant governor, declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination at the start of the year. Nilsson did not file a campaign finance report for the quarter. On the Democratic side, the party is eyeing former Gov. Roy Cooper for a run. Cooper, who left the executive mansion in January, has yet to announce his intentions. Aside from North Carolina, it looks like Democrats' most viable pick-up opportunities in 2026 could be Maine, where GOP Sen. Susan Collins is running for her sixth term, and a special election in Ohio to replace Vice President JD Vance. In addition to already holding the majority in the chamber, the map is more favorable for Republicans. The party could seize seats in the battleground states of Georgia and Michigan, where Sen. Gary Peters' retirement leads to an open seat. Democratic Sens. Tina Smith of Minnesota and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire have also announced their retirements. This means the party will need to recruit candidates to hold on to those seats. Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado could also depart the Senate next year if he is successful in his run for governor. His seat isn't up until 2028, though, and he does not need to resign to run. If he wins, Bennet will likely be able to appoint his successor to the Senate seat for Colorado.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wiley Nickel officially launches candidacy for U.S. Senate in North Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Former North Carolina Congressman Wiley Nickel officially launched his campaign for U.S. Senate on Wednesday. If Nickel wins the 2026 Democratic primary he would face the winner of the Republican primary. The Senate seat is currently held by Thom Tillis who is in his second term. 'When I was 18, I lost my father to cancer,' Nickel said. 'He was a farmer, and he taught me the value of hard work. He made me want to roll up my sleeves to help people. That led me to work for President Barack Obama during some of his toughest battles with Republicans, and to fight for my neighbors in Congress before Republicans tried to get rid of me. Well, that work is nowhere near done. I'm running for the U.S. Senate, because it's time for a new generation of leaders in Washington with a fresh vision and a whole lot of fight in them.' PREVIOUS: Rep. Wiley Nickel won't seek reelection after redraw of congressional lines, makes plans for U.S. Senate in 2026 Nickel became a U.S. Congressman in 2022 when he defeated his Republican opponent, Bo Hines. Nickel decided to not run for reelection in 2023 after a redraw of the state's 13th congressional district. Nickel first broke the news with CBS 17 that he intended to run for the Senate seat. But today marks the 'official' launch of Nickel's campaign for the 2026 primary. Nickel and his family currently lives in Cary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Washington Post
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Ex-congressman Nickel entering race to unseat North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026
RALEIGH, N.C. — Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel of North Carolina announced on Wednesday his candidacy to try to unseat Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026, saying a 'fighter for what's right for our state' is needed and criticizing the Republican incumbent for backing President Donald Trump's agenda. Nickel signaled his interest in a Senate bid in late 2023 , when the Raleigh-area congressman decided against seeking a second term the next year because he determined congressional redistricting that year by Republican state legislators made it impossible to win his seat again.
Axios
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Former N.C. Rep. Wiley Nickel launching U.S. Senate bid
Former Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.) is launching his bid for U.S. Senate on Wednesday morning, the ex-congressman told Axios. Why it matters: It could set up a contested Democratic primary ahead of what is expected to be one of the most hard-fought Senate elections in 2026. Democrats are hoping to finally knock off Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and some have looked to former Gov. Roy Cooper as the ideal candidate to do it. Tillis himself is facing a handful of longshot right-wing primary challengers, with others mulling whether to enter the race. What to watch: Nickel's official launch is scheduled for 10am ET, he told Axios.
