By Molly Claire Goddard
3:12am PDT, Jul 1, 2025
_
One Republican senator is done bowing down to
Donald Trump.
On Sunday, June 29,
Thom Tillis announced that he would not seek reelection to his seat after voting against the president's "One Big, Beautiful Bill Act," citing his concerns over the Medicaid provisions within the proposed legislation.
Keep reading to learn what the North Carolina politician said about ending his time on Capitol Hill…MORE:
Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news
_
In a statement, Thom Tillis made it clear he doesn't like the way Washington, D.C., is currently operating under Donald Trump.
"In Washington over the last few years, it's become increasingly evident that leaders who are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species," the right-winger explained. "It's not a hard choice and I will not be seeking re-election."
"When people sue independent thinking on the other side, they cheer. But when those very same people see independent thinking coming from their side, they scorn, ostracize and even censure them," he added of the vitriol. "Too many elected officials are motivated by pure raw politics who really don't give a d*** about the people they promised to represent on the campaign trail."
"As many of my colleagues have noticed over the last year and at times even joked about, I haven't exactly been excited about running for another term," Tillis noted. "That is true since the choice is between spending another six years navigating the political theatre and partisan gridlock in Washington or spending that time with the love of my life Susan, our two children, three beautiful grandchildren."
_
Thom Tillis stepping down from his position comes as rumors swirl about Donald Trump's daughter-in-law
Lara Trump possibly running for the seat. The 42-year-old was born in Wilmington, N.C.
"A source close to the Trump family says Lara Trump is 'strongly considering jumping in the race,'" an
insider claimed. "Asked about the odds that she runs for #NCSEN to replace Tillis, the source says: 'I'd put it as high as one could be considering it. The race will be over before it begins.'"
In 2022, there was rampant speculation Lara would try to jump into the race when former Republican Senator
Richard Burr's seat opened up. However, she refrained.
_
According to sources, the Trump administration also believes Republican National Committee Chair
Michael Whatley could also be a candidate for Thom Tillis' seat.
"Dependent upon whether or not President Trump endorses somebody it could be an open primary," Thom
said during an interview of who could be his potential successor. "He could close it out and the party could get behind it. I suspect that's what they do. "
