Sen. Thom Tillis says he won't seek re-election after opposing Trump megabill

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, N.C., will not run for re-election when his term is up, he announced Sunday, hours after he voted against President Donald Trump's tax bill and drew the president's ire.

"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," he said.

"It's not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election," he continued.

Tillis' announcement is likely to spur a competitive — and costly — election in the key battleground, where Trump has already said he would explore supporting a primary challenger to the two-term senator.

Trump on Saturday night said that "numerous people have come forward wanting" to primary Tillis next year, per a Truth Social post after Tillis voted against advancing debate on Trump's "one, big, beautiful bill."

Trump said that he would be meeting with the possible candidates "over the coming weeks."

Tillis' seat, which he has held since 2014, has also been a target for Democrats in next year's midterms.

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