North Carolina senator announces he is not seeking re-election

(NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced Sunday he is not seeking re-election.

The announcement comes one day after Senator Tillis drew President Donald Trump's ire for opposing the party's "one big, beautiful bill."

Tillis released a statement about his decision saying that he hasn't been enthusiastic about seeking a third term in the Senate writing in part, "It's not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election."

The decision opens up a seat in battleground north carolina that was already expected to be one of the most hotly contested races of the 2026 midterms.

After Tillis voted against advancing the party's massive spending bill Saturday, President Trump attacked him in a series of social media posts and threatened to meet with potential primary challengers.