North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, facing Trump primary threat, will not seek reelection in 2026

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican who has clashed with President Trump, announced Sunday he will not run for reelection next year.

The two-term senator’s decision comes less than 24 hours after President Trump bashed him on social media for his opposition to the “big, beautiful bill” and said he would be meeting with Republicans who want to run a primary campaign against the lawmaker.

Mr. Tillis, 64, did not mention Mr. Trump or the primary threat in a statement announcing his decision.

“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,” he said. “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.”