With Tillis Retiring, NC Becomes 2026 Senate Battleground

The 2026 U.S. Senate race in North Carolina is officially wide open following Sen. Thom Tillis’s announcement that he won’t seek reelection. His decision instantly turned the race into one of the most closely watched in the country, with national implications for control of the Senate. Former Rep. Wiley Nickel (D) is already in, while Mark Robinson appears to be out — though speculation about his return persists. The list of possible contenders is growing fast, with big names like former Gov. Roy Cooper, Lara Trump, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, and several U.S. House members reportedly weighing their options. Both parties are expected to see fierce primary battles as national attention — and donor dollars — descend on the Tar Heel State.