Sen. Thom Tillis won't run for reelection in 2026

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced on Sunday that he will not run for re-election in 2026. Tillis faced a tough fight to keep his seat, with potential primary challengers backed by former President Trump. In a statement, Tillis said it was "not a hard choice" and he would not seek re-election. He was first elected to the Senate in 2014. Tillis recently voted against a bill and opposed its final version, which led President Trump to accuse him of grandstanding and threaten to meet with his challengers. Some Republicans are relieved that they don't have to navigate a Tillis re-election, as his numbers with moderates and the Republican base were a concern. There are several potential GOP candidates for Tillis' seat, including RNC Chair Michael Whatley and former RNC vice chair Lara Trump, who is considering a campaign. Lara Trump would have a hard time saying no if asked by her father-in-law, according to a Trump adviser. Other potential candidates include freshman Republican congressmen such as Reps. Pat Harrigan, Tim Moore, and Brad Knott. The announcement has sparked a breaking news story with ongoing updates.