Breaking down what Tillis’ decision means for NC | Under the Dome podcast

By Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan

Updated July 2, 2025 1:41 PM

Each week, join Dawn Vaughan for The News & Observer and NC Insider’s Under the Dome podcast, an in-depth analysis of topics in state government and politics for North Carolina.

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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Good Tuesday morning to you and welcome to our Under the Dome politics newsletter. I’m Dawn Vaughan, the Capitol bureau chief here at The News & Observer and host of our Under the Dome podcast. Today’s newsletter is a preview of the new podcast episode.

I’m joined by my politics team colleagues Kyle Ingram and our summer interns, Ronni Butts and Sophia Bailly. In the first half, we talk about the major North Carolina and national news that broke Sunday: U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis announcing that he won’t be running for reelection.

We discuss what this could mean for the remainder of Tillis’ term, and who could step into the race next, from former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to Republican primary contender possibilities like U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and more.

Moving on to the legislature, the long session is mostly over for 2025.

It’s now July 1, the first day of the fiscal year, and there is no state budget. That’s because the General Assembly didn’t come to a budget deal yet, so they’ll be back again later this month, even if it’s just for a day.

Another disagreement between the House and Senate, and within Republican and Democratic caucuses, was over the controversial shrimping ban that fizzled out last week. We discuss what it would have done, and why it went awry. Plus other legislation that moved during the busy wind down of the session.

Stay tuned after the break for our picks for Headliner of the Week.

Where to listen

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Thanks for reading, and listening. Questions or guests and topics recommendations? Email me at dvaughan@newsobserver.com.

This story was originally published July 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Breaking down what Tillis’ decision means for NC | Under the Dome podcast."

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan

The News & Observer

919-829-4877

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan is the Capitol Bureau Chief for The News & Observer, leading coverage of the legislative and executive branches in North Carolina with a focus on the governor, General Assembly leadership and state budget. She has received the McClatchy President’s Award, N.C. Open Government Coalition Sunshine Award and several North Carolina Press Association awards, including for politics and investigative reporting.