Thom Tillis has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015, after serving as Speaker of the North Carolina House. He carved out a lane as a business-minded Republican: defense-focused, cautious on spending growth, and willing to talk to Democrats if it delivers something concrete back home.
Tillis has worked on mental health and gun policy via the Safer Communities Act, immigration/border negotiations, and workforce/education pipelines tied to North Carolina’s defense and biotech sectors.
In mid-2025, he announced he would not seek reelection in 2026, citing “where the party is headed” and a desire to focus on policy more than campaigning. That instantly turned his seat into one of the top national targets.
Moderate Republican
Achievements
- Co-sponsored red-flag framework and mental health funding in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
- Secured major federal investments for North Carolina’s military bases, defense industry, and veteran services
- Helped drive workforce development and STEM education programs tied to industry needs
- Worked on immigration/border compromise proposals seen as “serious legislating,” not just messaging
Controversies
- Hammered by the right for working with Democrats on gun safety and immigration talks
- Criticized for occasionally bucking Trump-aligned spending and border rhetoric
- Accused by fiscal hawks of not going far enough on cutting entitlements
- North Carolina conservatives frame him as “D.C. establishment,” not populist
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone Group | $179,700 | $179,700 | $0 |
| Apollo Global Management | $126,000 | $126,000 | $0 |
| Truist Financial | $86,095 | $65,595 | $20,500 |
| Goldman Sachs | $68,475 | $48,475 | $20,000 |
| Brighthouse Financial | $63,650 | $63,650 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2014 Margin R +4.5%
2020 Margin R +3.0%