Tillis’ Retirement Triggers Senate Race Shake-Up in North Carolina
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis’ decision not to seek a third term in 2026 has upended North Carolina politics, opening a high-stakes U.S. Senate race in a key battleground state. The announcement has drawn attention from both parties, with several prominent North Carolina Democrats and Republicans weighing potential bids for the open seat.
U.S. Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C. 1st District) is among the most closely watched Democrats considering a run. Davis’ campaign manager confirmed to The Washington Post that the congressman is “looking at all options and not ruling anything out.” While Davis has not made a formal announcement, his interest signals that Democrats may see the seat as a viable pickup opportunity as they attempt to retake the Senate majority.
Some political observers speculate that Davis’ consideration of a Senate bid may also reflect uncertainty about his reelection prospects in a redrawn congressional district. Republicans, meanwhile, view Davis as vulnerable. According to NSJ Online, GOP strategists suggest Davis “sees the writing on the wall” and may be attempting to move up before facing a difficult House race.
On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C. 3rd District) has publicly acknowledged he is considering entering the Senate race. “I’m taking a hard look at it,” Murphy told reporters at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, as reported by NBC News. “But right now my focus is on helping pass the president’s domestic agenda.”
Murphy, a practicing physician and co-chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus, has been focused on health care and budget issues in the House. Until now, he had not been widely mentioned as a Senate contender. However, Tillis’ retirement and the shifting political calculus have altered the outlook for several Republican hopefuls.
Other potential Republican candidates include Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.), RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, and former RNC co-chair Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump. “If she wants the nomination, she’s in the driver’s seat,” Doug Heye, a former RNC spokesperson and North Carolina native, told NBC News. Lara Trump has not formally announced but confirmed she is considering a run, citing timing and family considerations.
Among Democrats, former Gov. Roy Cooper is widely viewed as the party’s strongest potential candidate. While Cooper has not declared, his senior adviser Morgan Jackson said the former governor is “strongly considering” a Senate campaign. “Gov. Cooper continues to strongly consider a run for the Senate and he’ll decide in the coming weeks,” Jackson told NBC News. He added that Tillis’ exit “has not affected Cooper’s deliberations,” which are based on “what is the best way to serve the state and the people.”
Attorney General Jeff Jackson has already offered his support to Cooper. “If Roy Cooper runs, I’m behind him 100 percent,” Jackson said in a recent interview with WRAL.
Meanwhile, Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C. 13th District) remains the only declared Democratic candidate. However, his campaign has yet to gain traction amid widespread anticipation of a Cooper bid.
With slim margins in the U.S. Senate and control of Congress up for grabs in 2026, national party organizations are expected to pour substantial resources into the North Carolina race. “If Democrats want to take back the Senate, it starts in North Carolina,” Jackson said.
Tillis, who was first elected in 2014, announced his retirement on June 29, citing a desire to return to private life and spend more time with family. His departure opens the door to what could become one of the most expensive and competitive Senate races in the country.
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