Potential candidates for Senate after Tillis announces departure
Share this @internewscast.com


() Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis has announced he will not be seeking reelection to the Senate next year.

His departure comes as he clashed with President Donald Trump over the “big, beautiful bill.” Tillis, a strong opponent of the bill, said those who support it are “making a mistake” and betraying their promises to their constituents.

“He is just wrong,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing Monday. “The president and the vast majority of Republicans who are supportive of this legislation are right.”

Trump expressed a lot of anger over Tillis’ opposition to the bill; Tillis is one of two Republicans in Congress to oppose it. In multiple posts on Truth Social, Trump accused Tillis of grandstanding and also said he was making a mistake for not supporting the bill. Trump also threatened to primary Tillis despite his announcement not to run for reelection.

Tillis told his disagreement with the president did not influence his decision to leave the Senate.

“I’d already told the president that he needs to start looking for replacements before that came out,” Tillis said.

When asked about what he’s doing to stop the bill, Tillis said he’s “done what he’s going to do” and told his staff that he was standing firm in his decision to oppose the bill.

Tillis’ departure will likely shake up the Senate race in 2026 for North Carolina, a battleground state Trump won in the 2024 presidential election. Former North Carolina Rep. Wiley Nickel, a Democrat, said in a statement that he is the only one running on the Democratic ticket and could beat any “MAGA Loyalist” Trump decides to back in the race.

Other names that are rumored to be considering running in the 2026 Senate race include former Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper; Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law; and former Republican National Committee co-chair Mark Robinson.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

South Carolina Offers Tax-Free Shopping Weekend From August 1-3

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) is…

Stamp Prices Have Risen: Current Costs for Sending Mail

(NEXSTAR) — The United States Postal Service has, again, raised prices on…

Starbucks Targets Remote Workers, Suggests Possible Relocation to Headquarters for Some Employees

Starbucks is mandating that some remote employees go back to its headquarters…

Violent Felon Detained During Immigration Raid at California Cannabis Farm

() Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed more than 300 immigrants in…

Missouri Police Pursuit Concludes in Rollover Crash

() A car chase involving a vehicle that was speeding over 100…

Christie Claims Trump Gained from Epstein Conspiracy Theories

Ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R), a vocal opponent of President Trump,…

Historic Grand Canyon Lodge and Several Other Buildings Destroyed by Wildfire

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) A fast-moving wildfire destroyed a historic lodge and dozens…

Federal Workers Prepare for Mass Layoffs After Supreme Court Approval

A Supreme Court decision giving the Trump administration the greenlight to lay…

Efforts to Find Texas Flood Victims to Continue Following Additional Rainfall

KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — On Monday, crews were anticipated to continue searching…

Fireworks, Fighter Jets, and Axes: France’s Bastille Day Celebrations

PARIS – With warplanes soaring, warriors wielding axes, a drone light display…

Hospitals Nationwide Prepare for Medicaid Reductions Due to New Legislation

(The Hill) — Hospitals are bracing for the impact of the Medicaid…

Storm Team 3: Expect Heat, Humidity & Storms to Persist This Week

SAVANNAH, Ga. () – Our Monday follows a familiar trend, with heat…