Thom Tillis — Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, 2026

Senator Thom Tillis has demanded accountability from the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration enforcement operations, such as Operation Charlotte's Web. He praised the apprehension of criminal illegal aliens but questioned reports of U.S. citizens being detained. Tillis criticized DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for what he viewed as overreach in enforcement tactics, which he believed could jeopardize Republican electoral outcomes. He called for Noem's resignation, supporting federal agents but emphasizing quality over arbitrary quotas in enforcement.

““The Trump Administration has made measurable progress in restoring order at the southern border. Under the leadership of Border Czar Tom Homan, conditions no longer resemble the instability of the previous administration. That same level of successful and seamless execution has not always been achieved in the Department of Homeland Security’s recent interior immigration enforcement operations. Interior enforcement carried out by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement must be effective, disciplined, and fully compliant with constitutional and statutory limits. While these agencies have historically met that standard, recent operations raise serious questions that require direct oversight,” Tillis wrote. (tillis.senate.gov, February 3, 2026)”

Thom Tillis prioritizes affordable and quality healthcare for North Carolina families. He advocated for the 21st Century Cures Act to fund medical research and combat the opioid crisis. He is a strong supporter of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and works to expand telehealth services. In 2025, he opposed the Senate reconciliation bill, citing concerns about Medicaid cuts impacting North Carolina residents and hospitals, favoring the House's Medicaid approach with work requirements.

““I did my homework on behalf of North Carolinians, and I cannot support this bill in its current form. It would result in tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina, including our hospitals and rural communities. This will force the state to make painful decisions like eliminating Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands in the expansion population, and even reducing critical services for those in the traditional Medicaid population. We can and must do better than this. The Senate should return to the House’s Medicaid approach. That plan includes commonsense reforms to address waste, fraud, and abuse, and implements work requirements for some able-bodied adults to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits are going to our most vulnerable neighbors. There is a lot for North Carolinians to love about the rest of the One Big Beautiful Bill, including extending the historic Trump Tax Cuts, increasing the child tax credit, providing historic funding for border security, and ending wasteful spending. We can and must accomplish this without hurting our rural communities and hospitals, and without jeopardizing access to care for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians who need it the most.” (Senator Thom Tillis, Tillis Statement on Senate Reconciliation Vote, Jun 28 2025)”

Thom Tillis supports addressing climate change through market-based solutions to foster innovation and economic growth. He advocated for "right-sizing" solar tariffs to support North Carolina's solar industry and co-introduced the bipartisan National Park Restoration Act to fund park maintenance. He voted against a domestic policy bill in the Senate that would unravel federal plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The League of Conservation Voters gave him a 9% score in 2025 and an 11% lifetime score.

“it would result in tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina, including our hospitals and rural communities.” (Thom Tillis, Senate floor, July 3, 2025, as reported by heraldnet.com)”

Thom Tillis opposes abortion. In 2011, he supported a North Carolina law requiring an ultrasound four hours before an abortion, stating it was "the most critical part of the law." He voted to defund Planned Parenthood in 2012 and supported restrictions on abortion embedded in other bills. He voted "Yes" on the "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act" in 2015 and opposes the Women's Health Protection Act, citing concerns it would endanger state-level abortion restrictions. He also supports "personhood" efforts.

“When the law was struck down, Tillis said that the ultrasound provision was 'the most critical part of the law' and that the decision should be appealed. (Thom Tillis, in reference to a North Carolina ultrasound law, Wikipedia)”

Senator Thom Tillis supports strong U.S. alliances and deterrence to maintain global safety and superpower status. He voted to require Senate consent for withdrawing from NATO and to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force. Tillis has also emphasized the importance of honoring treaty obligations, respecting national sovereignty, and working with allies like Denmark, viewing unity as crucial for the transatlantic community. He co-chairs the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer Group.

“Denmark is one of our oldest and most reliable allies. Danish troops have fought and died alongside Americans in numerous conflicts, and Denmark was among the first to stand with us when NATO invoked Article 5 following the 9/11 attacks. Today, Denmark is significantly increasing its defense spending and remains a critical partner in Arctic security. This is an ally that has earned our unwavering respect. [...] When Denmark and Greenland make it clear that Greenland is not for sale, the United States must honor its treaty obligations and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark. Any suggestion that our nation would subject a fellow NATO ally to coercion or external pressure undermines the very principles of self-determination that our Alliance exists to defend. [...] With an active war in Ukraine and rising threats from Russia and China in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific, we cannot afford distractions or divisions within NATO. The strength of the transatlantic community lies in its unity, built on mutual respect rather than transactional rhetoric. Our alliances deter aggressors and share the burden of collective defense. We must stay focused on the real threats before us and work with our allies, not against them, to advance our shared security. As we confront the challenges of the 21st century, we do so alongside allies like Denmark who stand with us by choice, not by compulsion." - Senator Thom Tillis, Statement with Ranking Member Shaheen on Greenland's Sovereignty and Upholding America's Alliance with Denmark (foreign.senate.gov)”

Senator Thom Tillis supported the bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, aiming to align education and job training with local economic needs and prepare students for the workforce. He also led efforts to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which invested over $300 million in school safety measures and student support. Additionally, Tillis opposes using taxpayer funds for what he considers ideological and misleading historical depictions.

“It is my priority to help build a pipeline of highly skilled students and fill the gap between a diploma and business and industry and I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this important legislation. - Senator Thom Tillis (Source: tillis.senate.gov/education)”

Senator Thom Tillis voted to advance a bipartisan gun bill in 2022, which strengthens background checks for 18-to-21-year-olds and increases penalties for illegal firearm sales. He described this legislation as a "positive step" for community safety and for aiding individuals with mental health challenges. However, he also holds an A+ rating from the NRA and co-sponsored the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. His support for certain gun policies led to censure by the North Carolina Republican Party.

“It won't stop every horrible event like we've seen at far too many schools and at far too many public place, but I am convinced that it's going to help communities (be) safer, and that it's going to help people who may need help — who have mental health challenges — to get the help that they need to avert the crisis far before it escalates to the level it did in Uvalde," Tillis said.”