If you’re checking your 2024 calendar and wondering if you'll see Thom Tillis on the ballot, the short answer is no. Honestly, there's a lot of confusion about this because North Carolina politics has been a total whirlwind lately.
You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the chatter at the coffee shop about who's running for what. But here is the reality: is Thom Tillis up for re-election in 2024? No, he is not. His seat wasn't scheduled for the 2024 cycle. He’s a Class II Senator, which means his term doesn't actually wrap up until January 2027.
But there’s a massive "but" here. While he wasn't up in 2024, the drama surrounding his future has basically eclipsed everything else in North Carolina’s political scene.
Why the 2024 Question Keeps Popping Up
People keep asking about 2024 because North Carolina did have huge races that year. We had the Presidential race, a high-stakes gubernatorial contest, and plenty of House seats. It’s easy to get wires crossed. Plus, the political pressure on Tillis started ramping up long before his seat was even close to the deadline.
Back in late 2024 and early 2025, the rumors were flying. People were already talking about whether he’d face a primary challenge from the right. In North Carolina, the "Tillis vs. the base" narrative is a tale as old as time—or at least as old as his 2014 win.
The June 2025 Bombshell
Everything changed on June 29, 2025. This is the part that most people missed if they weren't glued to the news that weekend. Tillis dropped a massive announcement: he will not seek re-election in 2026.
It wasn't exactly a shock to some insiders, but the timing was spicy. It happened right after some serious friction with the White House over a major tax and spending bill. President Trump had been posting on social media, basically calling for a primary challenger to take Tillis out. Tillis, apparently decided he’d had enough of the "endangered species" life of a bipartisan deal-maker and called it quits.
Who is Running Now?
Since Tillis is officially stepping aside, the 2026 race—which is the one everyone thought was the 2024 race—is wide open. This is shaping up to be one of the most expensive and exhausting battles in the country.
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- Roy Cooper: The former Governor has already jumped in. He’s the presumptive Democratic nominee and has a massive war chest. As of late 2025, FEC filings showed him with over $8 million on hand.
- Michael Whatley: On the Republican side, the former RNC Chair is a heavy hitter. He’s got the "MAGA" seal of approval and is looking to keep that seat red.
- The Wildcards: Names like Michele Morrow and various local leaders are also in the mix.
What This Means for Your Vote
If you were looking for Tillis in 2024, you were two years early. But the 2026 primary is right around the corner.
Key Dates to Circle
- March 3, 2026: The Primary Election. This is where the GOP and Democrats will pick their champions.
- May 12, 2026: The Runoff (if nobody gets 30% of the vote).
- November 3, 2026: The General Election. This is the day we find out who actually replaces Thom Tillis.
Tillis’s departure marks the end of an era for a certain kind of North Carolina Republicanism. He was the guy who would work across the aisle on things like the Respect for Marriage Act or gun safety legislation. That didn’t always sit well with the home crowd, leading to his censure by the state GOP in 2023.
Whether you liked his style or not, his exit leaves a vacuum. The 2026 race won't just be about a seat; it'll be about the soul of the North Carolina GOP.
Practical Next Steps for NC Voters
Don't wait until 2026 to figure out your status. Politics moves fast, and North Carolina moves faster.
- Check your registration: Head over to the NCSBE (North Carolina State Board of Elections) website. Use their "Voter Search" tool to make sure your address is current.
- Get your ID ready: North Carolina now requires photo ID for voting. Make sure your driver's license isn't expired, or get a free "No Fee ID Card" from the DMV if you need one.
- Track the money: If you want to see who’s actually winning, don't just look at polls. Look at the FEC filings. Money usually tells you who the national parties are actually betting on.
The 2024 cycle might be in the rearview mirror, but the race for Tillis’s seat is just starting to get ugly. Keep your eyes on the March 2026 primary—it's going to be a rollercoaster.