Politics & Government

Sen. Thom Tillis of NC isn’t seeking reelection. See photos from his time in politics

By Ethan Hyman

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US Sen. Thom Tillis & NC Senate race

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican who has represented North Carolina in Washington for a decade , announced June 29, 2025, he won’t seek reelection amid dissent with President Donald Trump. The Huntersville resident, a former speaker of the state House of Representatives, was first elected to the Senate in 2014. Here is coverage of the announcement and what it means for the 2026 Senate race.

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U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican who has represented North Carolina in Washington for a decade and has clashed with President Donald Trump as recently as Saturday, announced Sunday he will not seek reelection.

The Huntersville resident was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2006 and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014.

He was expected to seek a third term.

Here are some photos from his career representing North Carolina.

House Speaker Thom Tillis of Mecklenburg County shows off his new pine gavel to Ray Folwell, father of Rep. Dale Folwell, after closing the first day of the session in 2011.
House Speaker Thom Tillis of Mecklenburg County shows off his new pine gavel to Ray Folwell, father of Rep. Dale Folwell, after closing the first day of the session in 2011. SHAWN ROCCO News & Observer file photo
US Senate candidate Thom Tillis participates in a phone bank calling voters during a drop-in visit at Tillis for US Senate Campaign Headquarters in May 2014 in Cornelius.
US Senate candidate Thom Tillis participates in a phone bank calling voters during a drop-in visit at Tillis for US Senate Campaign Headquarters in May 2014 in Cornelius. Robert Lahser Charlotte Observer file photo
President Donald J. Trump listens as U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina addresses supporters during a rally at Bojangles Arena in Charlotte, in March 2020
President Donald J. Trump listens as U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina addresses supporters during a rally at Bojangles Arena in Charlotte, in March 2020 David T. Foster III Charlotte Observer file photo
Rep. Tim Moore of Kings Mountain, N.C., the House Rules Chairman chats with Speaker of the House Thom Tillis during debate of Senate Bill 402 in July 2013 at the North Carolina General Assembly.
Rep. Tim Moore of Kings Mountain, N.C., the House Rules Chairman chats with Speaker of the House Thom Tillis during debate of Senate Bill 402 in July 2013 at the North Carolina General Assembly. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Marshall Carson, President of Hendrick Motorsports, makes a stop at Dale Earnhardt, Jr’s car while giving a tour of the race shop of Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr with U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, center, left, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Thom Tillis of North Carolina in October 2014.
Marshall Carson, President of Hendrick Motorsports, makes a stop at Dale Earnhardt, Jr’s car while giving a tour of the race shop of Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr with U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, center, left, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Thom Tillis of North Carolina in October 2014. David T. Foster, III News & Observer file photo
U.S. Senate elect Thom Tillis laughs with staff member Dana Harris following his victory over Kay Hagan for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at the Omni Hotel in Charlotte, NC.
U.S. Senate elect Thom Tillis laughs with staff member Dana Harris following his victory over Kay Hagan for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at the Omni Hotel in Charlotte, NC. Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis talks with new Secretary of Transportation and Trump-appointee Sean Duffy at the site of washed out sections of I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge, Feb. 10, 2025.
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis talks with new Secretary of Transportation and Trump-appointee Sean Duffy at the site of washed out sections of I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge, Feb. 10, 2025. Richard Stradling rstradling@newsobserver.com
Thom Tillis, a representative for the House of Representatives for District 98, holds a 1-year-old bald eagle before releasing him into the wild at Landsford Canal State Park near Rock Hill, SC in March 2008. The eagle was brought to the Carolina Raptor Center in November with serious injuries including five missing feathers.
Thom Tillis, a representative for the House of Representatives for District 98, holds a 1-year-old bald eagle before releasing him into the wild at Landsford Canal State Park near Rock Hill, SC in March 2008. The eagle was brought to the Carolina Raptor Center in November with serious injuries including five missing feathers. YALONDA M. JAMES Charlotte Observer file photo
From left: Speaker of the House Thom Tillis, Gov. Pat McCrory, President Pro Tempore of the Senate Phil Berger and Sec. of Commerce Sharon Decker are all smiles following a press conference to announce a tax deal in July 2013.
From left: Speaker of the House Thom Tillis, Gov. Pat McCrory, President Pro Tempore of the Senate Phil Berger and Sec. of Commerce Sharon Decker are all smiles following a press conference to announce a tax deal in July 2013. CHUCK LIDDY News & Observer file photo
N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis and his wife Susan Tillis arrive for the Gala Presentation of the 2013 Inaugural Ball in January 2013 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, N.C.
N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis and his wife Susan Tillis arrive for the Gala Presentation of the 2013 Inaugural Ball in January 2013 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Mitt Romney campaigns for Republican Senate candidate and N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis in October 2014 in Raleigh.
Mitt Romney campaigns for Republican Senate candidate and N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis in October 2014 in Raleigh. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) speaks to Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) before the start of the Senate Appropriations hearing to examine disaster funding needs in Nov. 2024.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) speaks to Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) before the start of the Senate Appropriations hearing to examine disaster funding needs in Nov. 2024. Jack Gruber USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Imag
Speaker of the House Thom Tillis, left, enjoys a laugh with Rep. Grier Martin as the budget bill is debated on the NC House floor at the Legislature in August 2014.
Speaker of the House Thom Tillis, left, enjoys a laugh with Rep. Grier Martin as the budget bill is debated on the NC House floor at the Legislature in August 2014. Chris Seward News & Observer file photo
North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, right, talk with the press after speaking at a joint “Get Out the Vote” rally at Taylor Ranch in Fletcher in October 2020.
North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, right, talk with the press after speaking at a joint “Get Out the Vote” rally at Taylor Ranch in Fletcher in October 2020. Angeli Wright Imagn
Former Republican North Carolina House Speakers U.S. Rep. Tim Moore and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis share a laugh before the North Carolina General Assembly’s 2025 legislative session opens on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at the Legislative Building.
Former Republican North Carolina House Speakers U.S. Rep. Tim Moore and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis share a laugh before the North Carolina General Assembly’s 2025 legislative session opens on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at the Legislative Building. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Speaker of the House, Thom Tillis stands in the back of the House chamber and listens to debate of Senate Bill 402, the Appropriations Act of 2013 in July 2013 at the North Carolina General Assembly.
Speaker of the House, Thom Tillis stands in the back of the House chamber and listens to debate of Senate Bill 402, the Appropriations Act of 2013 in July 2013 at the North Carolina General Assembly. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina takes a test drive a new Infantry Squad Vehicle built for the U.S. Army at the GM Defense facility in Concord, NC, during a tour in May 2021. The vehicle is an air-transportable high-speed, light utility vehicle based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 platform.
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina takes a test drive a new Infantry Squad Vehicle built for the U.S. Army at the GM Defense facility in Concord, NC, during a tour in May 2021. The vehicle is an air-transportable high-speed, light utility vehicle based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 platform. David T. Foster III Charlotte Observer file photo
House leader Thom Tillis, left, and Senate leader Phil Berger applaud during Gov. Pat McCrory’s State of the State address in February 2013.
House leader Thom Tillis, left, and Senate leader Phil Berger applaud during Gov. Pat McCrory’s State of the State address in February 2013. TRAVIS LONG tlong@newsobserver.com
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and wife Susan wave after winning re-election during an election return party at Langtree Plantation in Mooresville, NC in Nov. 2020.
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and wife Susan wave after winning re-election during an election return party at Langtree Plantation in Mooresville, NC in Nov. 2020. David T. Foster III Charlotte Observer file photo
N.C. Senate Pro-Tem Phil Berger, left, responds to a question while N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis listens at a joint budget press conference held at the Legislative Building in Raleigh in June 2012.
N.C. Senate Pro-Tem Phil Berger, left, responds to a question while N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis listens at a joint budget press conference held at the Legislative Building in Raleigh in June 2012. Chris Seward News & Observer file photo
NC Gov. Pat McCrory, left, and Texas Governor Rick Perry, right, show their support for US Senate candidate Thom Tillis, center, as the Republicans hold The Conservative Rally at the Central Marketing Tobacco Warehouse in Smithfield NC on Oct. 24, 2014.
NC Gov. Pat McCrory, left, and Texas Governor Rick Perry, right, show their support for US Senate candidate Thom Tillis, center, as the Republicans hold The Conservative Rally at the Central Marketing Tobacco Warehouse in Smithfield NC on Oct. 24, 2014. Chris Seward News & Observer file photo
Speaker of the House Thom Tillis of Mecklenburg County, a Republican, begins his work Jan. 26, 2011, the first day of the legislature’s new session.
Speaker of the House Thom Tillis of Mecklenburg County, a Republican, begins his work Jan. 26, 2011, the first day of the legislature’s new session. SHAWN ROCCO News & Observer file photo

This story was originally published June 29, 2025 at 2:31 PM with the headline "Sen. Thom Tillis of NC isn’t seeking reelection. See photos from his time in politics."

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US Sen. Thom Tillis & NC Senate race

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican who has represented North Carolina in Washington for a decade , announced June 29, 2025, he won’t seek reelection amid dissent with President Donald Trump. The Huntersville resident, a former speaker of the state House of Representatives, was first elected to the Senate in 2014. Here is coverage of the announcement and what it means for the 2026 Senate race.

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