Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) on Sunday announced he will not seek reelection to the Senate next year, firing a political shockwave into the midterm cycle after he said he would oppose President Trump’s mammoth tax package.
“As many of my colleagues have noticed over the last year, and at times even joked about, I haven’t exactly been excited about running for another term,” Tillis said in a statement. “That is true since the choice is between spending another six years navigating the political theatre and partisan gridlock in Washington or spending that time with the love of my life Susan, our two children, three beautiful grandchildren, and the rest of our extended family back home.
“It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election,” he said.
The announcement comes after Trump attacked him relentlessly in recent days over his opposition to the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill.” Tillis was one of two Republicans who voted against advancing it on the floor Saturday night.
The president on Saturday night went so far as to threaten to back a primary challenger against him next year.
“Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against ‘Senator Thom’ Tillis,” Trump wrote. “I will be meeting with them over the coming weeks, looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina and, so importantly, the United States of America.”
He kept up the harsh words Sunday, labeling the North Carolina senator a “talker and complainer, NOT A DOER!”
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